Alta Hazel Berry, age 92, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2009, at Greenway Manor in Spring Green, with her family by her side. Alta was born February 24, 1917, in Greene County, Iowa, to Fannie Edith and William R. Bauer. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1934. Alta married Donald Neil Berry on September 13, 1941, and together they farmed the Ridenour-Bauer homestead until they moved to Jefferson in 1982. Alta and Neil enjoyed traveling around the United States in their motor home with their grandchildren. Some of her hobbies included needlepoint, crafts, cooking, golfing and quilting. Making ornaments and cookies and decorating her home for the holidays was one of her favorite pastimes. Alta was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of the Does Lodge #196 in Jefferson, IA.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband of 53 years, Donald Neil Berry and one brother Melvin Bauer. She is survived by daughter, Ann (Mark) Fredrick of Sauk City; six grandchildren, Lori (Chris) Christianson of Plain, Suzanne (Terry) Shifflet of Spring Green, Angie (Allison Thielen) Powell of Minneapolis, William Powell of Minneapolis, Amanda Fredrick of Sauk City, and Jeffrey Fredrick of Sauk City; five great-grandchildren, Zachary and Ben Feiner, Eric Christianson, and Alex and Baylee Shifflet.

A Celebration of Alta's Life is being planned for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Jefferson Elks Lodge, 103 E. Harrison St., Jefferson, Iowa.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the wonderful care that Alta received from the staff at Greenway Manor and Greenway Terrace during her stay.