Elberta Straight

Elberta M. Straight, aka Bertie, of Fort Collins passed away May 6, 2008. She was 84. Bertie was born on July 9, 1924, in Oddville, Ky., to Elbert and Lilly Dean Muntz. She graduated from Oddville High School, and joined the U.S. Navy during WWII. There she met her husband, Robert Bates Straight Jr. They were married on June 6, 1946, and moved to Steamboat Springs where she gave birth to their oldest son, Robert Bates Straight III. They relocated to Cynthiana, Ky., where daughter, Mary Kathryn, was born, then moved on to Lakeland, Fla., where sons, Charles Gregory and Gary Dean were born. Bertie retired in Fort Collins in 1992. Bertie was a switchboard operator and drove a school bus, but was most widely know as a professional pianist and singer. During her career she performed with the U.S. Navy Chorus and accompanied Perry Como during a USO show in New York City. She also sang with the Lakeland Chorale Society, the Loveland Heartbeats and the Harmonettes. She composed nearly 60 songs and performed at hundreds of weddings and funerals. During her retirement, Bertie volunteered at the 1984 Olympics, and as a shuttle driver for the Veterans Administration. She also performed at dozens of churches, nursing homes and retirement centers. Bertie is survived by daughter, Mary Kathryn and Gary Durkee of Highland Village, Texas, Charles Gregory and Neilla Straight of Fort Collins, and Gary Dean Straight of Windsor. She has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by husband, Robert Bates Straight Jr., and son, Robert Bates Straight III. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .