Six of the “Gottula” sisters returned to the Steinauer community to celebrate their birthdays with relatives at an October Birthday Bash at the Convent House on Monday, October 12. The ages of the six sisters total 534 years. Additionally, five of the sisters’ nieces celebrate their birthdays in October as well.
Berdette Hoeller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the oldest of the six sisters and she reached the milestone of 100 years on May 6, 2026. She attended nursing school at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Omaha, where she met her husband Donald Hoeller, while he was a patient there. They were married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Steinauer on September 1, 1948. The Hoellers moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Donald was from. Berdette served as a nurse on a part-time basis while raising their six children. Later in her life, she worked as a nursing supervisor. Throughout her life, Berdette has also done a lot of volunteer work. She has played the organ at her church for almost 50 years. She continues to play the organ at her church four days a week. Her favorite songs are “The Servant’s Song” and “Holy God”. Berdette and her husband, Donald, traveled on 16 cruises together as well as touring Europe.
Hoeller attributes her long life to hard work and a relationship with God. “I grew up in a family of seven girls and four boys and everyone had their own chores to do. We made up our own games and in the winter went sledding. Compared to mother, I had an easy life, with all the conveniences of cars, jets and robotics.”
Today, in addition to six children, Berdette has 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Sister Delores Gottula of Jacksonville, Arkansas, is very proud and thankful to celebrate her 98th birthday on Wednesday, October 14. “I’m glad and happy to be able to see all my relatives,” said Delores. “I want to thank all my relatives for coming and helping me celebrate.”
Delores considers herself blessed. She worked for the Dempster Mill Manufacturing in Beatrice for five years and later worked for the federal government for 34 years. Her goal in the near future is to collect and distribute her rosaries to other family members.
“It’s always good to get together, you never know when it may be the last time and time goes by so fast,” said Ethelreda Gottula Pella of Tecumseh, the middle sister who turned 96 in July.
“It’s been wonderful,” said Rosella Gottula of Omaha, the youngest of the sisters. She turned 88 on July 4. It was her idea to celebrate with an October Birthday Bash.
Sister Mary, age 92, of Lincoln had to leave the Birthday Bash early, while Josephine, age 90, wasn’t feeling well and was unable to attend the bash.
Although the Gottula sisters don’t always make it back, the traditional Gottula Family Reunion continues to be held every two years in July.
