Concord, NH – Berta Lippert Farney, 95, passed away on October 16, 2026 one week shy of her 96th birthday. She was born in Elbogen in the Sudetenland of Germany on October 23, 1930 to Anna (Gruenauer) and Lambert Lippert. Her family was forcefully relocated to West Germany after WWII.
She studied English throughout her school years and also spent one year working in England (where she was challenged by the accents and slang of her Scottish and English roommates).
She met her husband Richard when he was serving in the US Army stationed in Germany during the Korean War. They were married in Germany by a US Army chaplain in a small family ceremony. She maintained close connections to her German family despite relocating to the US when she was 22 years old. She was a resident of Connecticut for 65 years before moving to New Hampshire to live with her daughter Ruth in 2017.
She worked at Griffin Hospital in CT for 26 years and formed many close friendships with coworkers. She was an avid knitter and crocheter and had taught many friends and coworkers the craft. Her many homemade afghans adorn the homes of her family members.
She was keenly interested in politics and kept abreast of current issues. Her family connections were a strong focus of her life.
She was predeceased by her husband Richard Farney, daughter Elizabeth (“Betty”) Haney, granddaughter Betty Ann Vanvalkenburgh, grandson-in-law Ken Kravec, great grandson John Kosko, and her siblings: Francisca Thum, Liesle Altznauer, Frieda Nemkowicz, Maria Benner, and Oskar Lippert.
She is survived by her son James Farney (Leslie), daughter Ruth Farney, son Michael Farney (Keri), son-in-law Robert Haney, grandsons Ryan Kolmeister and Brett Kolmeister (Shannon), granddaughter Nicole Kravec, an especially close niece Maria Maestri, great grandchildren Ashley and Savannah, and several great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank her CT neighbor and helpful friend Pat Connelly, the Frail Elder program at Concord Hospital (especially Jonathan A. and Craig B.), and her favorite caretakers at Pleasant View who treated her with kindness and respect.
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