Bertha Louise Flake

Bertha Louise Baker Flake of Snowflake, died peacefully in her home on September 4, 2017. She was 84 years old. Louise was the 4th child of Alfred and Elna Farnsworth Baker. She was born in Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico, on May 30, 1933. The family moved to Mesa, Arizona when Louise was 5 years old.   She graduated from Mesa High School and went on to receive a teaching degree from Arizona State University. She turned down a job to teach in San Diego because she felt inspired to take a job in Snowflake, and in her first year of teaching she met and married Sanford Dewitt Flake. They lived a life of happiness for 61 years. During that time she was able to become what she always wanted to be, a mother. She raised Tawna, Melanie, Dallas, Shea, Lilli, and a foster child, Rosemary.   Louise and Sank became entrepreneurs, adding to her already busy schedule, ranching, owning a restaurant, laundry mats, and dry goods store. Despite her other interests, her heart and talents were always in her home. She was a master seamstress sewing clothes for people in the community as well as sewing two beautiful dresses for both her daughter’s weddings. With all her elegance and class she hosted many parties for all occasions for the community to attend. She was a great cook and baker, participated in plays and served an LDS mission in New Zealand with Sank. Louise was always an eternal, committed, companion. She especially showed her commitment while following Sank on his pioneer endeavors, coast to coast and border to border.   She is preceded in death by her daughters, Melanie and Tawna.   Survived by her husband Sanford, son-in-law Nick Posegate, Dallas, Shea and Yvette Flake, Lilli and Kyle Hiatt, 12 grandkids, and 5 great grandkids. She will be remembered and adored by all who knew her.   The viewing for Louise will be Friday, September 8, at the Main Street Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 48 N. Main St., Snowflake, AZ at 6 p.m. The funeral will be held Saturday September 9, at the Main Street Chapel at 10 a.m, with a viewing one hour prior. Interment will follow at the R.V. “Mike” Ramsay Memorial Cemetery.