Bertha “Neoma” Obstarczyk
1/24/1949 – 10/16/2024
Loved Fiercely & Fiercely Loved by All Who Knew Her
Bertha “Neoma” Obstarczyk (nee Lough) was brought into this world on January 24, 1949. She was the youngest daughter of sixteen children. She might have been the youngest daughter, but she took on the role of protector of her older sisters and baby brother. Anyone who made the mistake of picking on any of them would find themselves on their back, looking at the sky wondering what the heck just happened? She took no prisoners!
Momma was diagnosed with Stage 4 Acute Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma on September 19, 2023, and was only given 4-6 months to live. Just like everything she did, she fought hard and by the grace of God, she gave us 13 more months. Every day we had with her was a blessing; full of love, laughter, joy, and at times sadness, but we cherished every second we had with her.
Momma did everything she could to make her passing as easy on us as possible, but she couldn’t keep our hearts from breaking. She loved us so much and we loved her right back. She was loved & cherished by so many people, and her legacy is enormous. She is truly missed!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Loren & Katherine Lough, and eleven of her brothers & sisters. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Obstarczyk; daughters Loria Balbas, Tammy Parries-Melton (Richard), Tracie Charles, Neoma Kline (Jeremiah), Crystal Obstarczyk (Cory) and Shari Wheeler (Tim); grandchildren Shawndelle Smith (Phillip), Francisco Gomez (Miriam), Brittni Bartell-Montooth (Blake), Haley Wheeler (Wayne), Gabriel Charles, Paiton Kline, Miles Kline, Dylan Albrecht and Allie Wheeler; great-grandchildren Acacia Hagg, Konner Hagg, Tatum Hagg, Elarie Smith, Sophie Montooth, Gracynn Johnson-Wheeler, Trexie Villaver, Zayne Gomez and Zayley Gomez. She is also survived by her baby brother Phillip Lough (Allison), and sisters Mildred “Fern” Rehl, Donna Peterson, and Della Bassett.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.