Bertha (Ochsner) Hurni, 88, of Exeter, NH and formerly of Newbury, MA, passed peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer's on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in Exeter, NH. Born in Switzerland, on May 24, 1936, she was born to Anna Ochsner-Jud and Germann Ochsner.

Bertha grew up in Feusisberg, Switzerland in the Canton of Schwyz on her parents' farm. She and her four sisters worked on the farm while also attending school growing up. She worked in hotels in Kusnacht and Arosa until she met her husband, Max. She married Max at the age of 21 and immigrated to the United States. She helped Max run the family business, Max Hurni Imports, in Newbury, MA. for over 35 years. She learned English quickly. She was able to work full time, be a terrific Mom to three kids and volunteered at church and on the PTA at Immaculate Conception. Every year she invited all the nuns from Immaculate to come into the store and pick out a gift. She was a member of the Swiss Society of Boston since 1956 and for over 50 years she and Max would purchase and sell Swiss souvenirs at the annual Swiss Independence Day Picnic donating all the proceeds to the Swiss Society. She was an avid tennis player, winning many women's singles tournaments as well as doubles tournaments with Max as her partner at the Ould Newbury Country Club. She loved to ski, returning to Switzerland every year on business but also taking time to see her family and ski, often joining racing classes to bomb down the Swiss Alp slopes. In later years she and Max retired to New Hampshire (East Kingston, Hampstead and finally Exeter). She was always there for friends in need, often delivering home cooked meals to the sick. She was a fantastic cook serving up feasts for her family at holiday times. No matter where they went, visiting kids and grandkids far away or visiting friends, she would buy groceries, do the cooking, rake, babysit or whatever to help out.

She is survived by her two sons, Phillip Hurni and wife Angie of Virginia Beach, VA, and Michael Hurni and wife Nina of Fernandina Beach, FL; a daughter, Christina Hurni of Atkinson, NH; grandchildren Jacob, Sarah, Kristian and Grace Hurni; and sister, Rose Ochsner of Germany. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Max, and her sisters, Anni, Marie and Afra of Switzerland.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, January 13, 2025, from 9:15am-10:45am at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home 116 Main St. Plaistow, NH. Her funeral service will follow at 11:30am in St. Anne's Church 26 Emerson Ave. Hampstead, NH. Burial will take place in the spring at Atkinson Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Bertha's memory to either "Cure Alzheimer's Fund" 34 Washington Street, Suite 230, Wellesley Hills, MA or "St. Anne's Parish", 26 Emerson Ave. Hampstead, NH 03841. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: brooksidechapelfh.com