Berta Donn (Flagg) Gardner
Marriages
William Rocchio - September 5, 1948
Grand Junction, CO
Robert Gardner - June 18, 1967
Fort Collins, Colorado
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3 D Obituary - June 25, 2017
Berta Donn (Flagg) Gardner
September 25, 1927 - June 15, 2017
Berta Donn (Flagg) Gardner passed away June 15, 2017, after a short illness, she was 89.
She was born September 25, 1927, at St Mary’s Hospital, Grand Junction, Colorado to Alfred and Edith (Van Gundy) Flagg. Bert Donn lived her entire life in Grand Junction. She attended Lincoln and
Lowell Elementary and Grand Junction Junior and Senior High
Schools graduating in 1945.
Berta was a very beautiful and popular young lady. She was
involved in many school activities including being a Banner Girl
with the GJHS Marching band. She attended the University of
Colorado Boulder and returned to Grand Junction in 1946, she
attended Mesa Junior College, graduating in 1948. She also
attended Colorado State Teacher’s College in Greeley. She
married William Rocchio on September 5, 1948, in Grand
Junction.
Berta worked several years for Public Service Company of
Colorado. In 1959 she opened a kindergarten and taught in her
home for several years. She also worked as a secretary for
several local businesses.
On June 18, 1967 Berta married Robert Gardner in Fort
Collins. She worked alongside him in the family business before
returning to school to focus on her true passion, art. She was an
accomplished artist, working in many mediums including oil,
water color, chalk, pencil and sculpture.
In 1993 she won first place in sculpture, at the Colorado artists
association show in Loveland for her caricature of President
George H. Bush. That piece was accepted into the National
Sculpture Society art show in New York City March 2003. Her
sculpture "Katnap in the Garden" was an early selection in the
"Art on the Corner" program on Main Street in downtown
Grand Junction. She belonged to many art organizations
including the Grand Junction Art Center and the Brush and
Pallet Club.
In addition to her love of the arts Berta was passionate about
genealogy she traced the family trees of the Flagg and Van
Gundy families. She loved to travel and traveled extensively
throughout the United States and Europe, immersing herself in
the art and architecture of the places she visited.
She is survived by her son, William James (Peb) Rocke Jr. of
Grand Junction; step-son, Kevin Gardner of Highlands Ranch;
step-daughters, Denise Slane of Salt Lake City; Dyann
Kominski of Montauk, New York and Stephanie Sweeney of
Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is also survived by her sister,
Marilyn Kotich, of Fort Collins; nieces, Kim Agnew of Salt
Lake City; Diana, Sheri, and Linda Kotich all of Fort Collins.
She is survived by 12 grandchildren and numerous greatgrandchildren.
Berta was cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a
later date. All cards and condolences may be sent to Callahan-
Edfast Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to The Art Center of
Grand Junction, in her name.
