Berthold Ascher, died in Ashland, Montana, in 1967, at age 78, after 52 years of religious life.
Berthold was born in Sheboygan and raised in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. He attended the County Public School up to the fifth grade. The family was poor, but closely knit. His father was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, a skill which he handed on to all his sons.
Most of Berthold's Capuchin life was spent tailoring at Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Marathon, Huntington, Detroit and Montana. His inventions and innovations were masterful, especially the cord machine fashioned from old typewriter parts, and the wooden clothes dryer that ran on gas.
Most of all, Berthold is remembered for his ministry at St. Labre's in Montana. He dedicated himself to serving and bringing happiness into the lives of others.
He always had his pockets full of candy for the children, and thus earned the nickname, "Brother Candy." The children would spot him at a distance and come running to him. Once, Berthold was traveling with the Bishop from Miles City to St. Labre for Confirmation. As they drove into the school yard, the children spotted Berthold and came running to the car. By the time the car came to a stop, there were 200 children gathered around. During dinner that evening, the Bishop remarked how friendly the children had been. He recalled previous visits to St. Labre and remarked, "This was the first time that the children came running to greet me. They were always very timid and would run to hide when I came around." No one had the heart to tell the Bishop the truth.
As St. Labre developed and modernized, Berthold sometimes longed for a less built-up place that could still use his homegrown skills. So at age 78, he transferred to the mission at St. Xavier.
Meanwhile, age and poor health were taking their toll. Berthold confided to a Friar: "There are many things I want to do for the mission, but my time is up. I am grateful to have been a part of this great work."
Throughout his last illness, Berthold never complained. He died peacefully. The funeral and burial rites were held at Crown Point, Indiana. Later, those buried in the Crown Point Cemetery were moved to Huntington.
Note: Although his grave marker lists him as being born in 1890, in reality he was born on August 12, 1888.
Berthold was born in Sheboygan and raised in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. He attended the County Public School up to the fifth grade. The family was poor, but closely knit. His father was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, a skill which he handed on to all his sons.
Most of Berthold's Capuchin life was spent tailoring at Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Marathon, Huntington, Detroit and Montana. His inventions and innovations were masterful, especially the cord machine fashioned from old typewriter parts, and the wooden clothes dryer that ran on gas.
Most of all, Berthold is remembered for his ministry at St. Labre's in Montana. He dedicated himself to serving and bringing happiness into the lives of others.
He always had his pockets full of candy for the children, and thus earned the nickname, "Brother Candy." The children would spot him at a distance and come running to him. Once, Berthold was traveling with the Bishop from Miles City to St. Labre for Confirmation. As they drove into the school yard, the children spotted Berthold and came running to the car. By the time the car came to a stop, there were 200 children gathered around. During dinner that evening, the Bishop remarked how friendly the children had been. He recalled previous visits to St. Labre and remarked, "This was the first time that the children came running to greet me. They were always very timid and would run to hide when I came around." No one had the heart to tell the Bishop the truth.
As St. Labre developed and modernized, Berthold sometimes longed for a less built-up place that could still use his homegrown skills. So at age 78, he transferred to the mission at St. Xavier.
Meanwhile, age and poor health were taking their toll. Berthold confided to a Friar: "There are many things I want to do for the mission, but my time is up. I am grateful to have been a part of this great work."
Throughout his last illness, Berthold never complained. He died peacefully. The funeral and burial rites were held at Crown Point, Indiana. Later, those buried in the Crown Point Cemetery were moved to Huntington.
Note: Although his grave marker lists him as being born in 1890, in reality he was born on August 12, 1888.
Berthold Ascher, died in Ashland, Montana, in 1967, at age 78, after 52 years of religious life.
Berthold was born in Sheboygan and raised in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. He attended the County Public School up to the fifth grade. The family was poor, but closely knit. His father was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, a skill which he handed on to all his sons.
Most of Berthold's Capuchin life was spent tailoring at Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Marathon, Huntington, Detroit and Montana. His inventions and innovations were masterful, especially the cord machine fashioned from old typewriter parts, and the wooden clothes dryer that ran on gas.
Most of all, Berthold is remembered for his ministry at St. Labre's in Montana. He dedicated himself to serving and bringing happiness into the lives of others.
He always had his pockets full of candy for the children, and thus earned the nickname, "Brother Candy." The children would spot him at a distance and come running to him. Once, Berthold was traveling with the Bishop from Miles City to St. Labre for Confirmation. As they drove into the school yard, the children spotted Berthold and came running to the car. By the time the car came to a stop, there were 200 children gathered around. During dinner that evening, the Bishop remarked how friendly the children had been. He recalled previous visits to St. Labre and remarked, "This was the first time that the children came running to greet me. They were always very timid and would run to hide when I came around." No one had the heart to tell the Bishop the truth.
As St. Labre developed and modernized, Berthold sometimes longed for a less built-up place that could still use his homegrown skills. So at age 78, he transferred to the mission at St. Xavier.
Meanwhile, age and poor health were taking their toll. Berthold confided to a Friar: "There are many things I want to do for the mission, but my time is up. I am grateful to have been a part of this great work."
Throughout his last illness, Berthold never complained. He died peacefully. The funeral and burial rites were held at Crown Point, Indiana. Later, those buried in the Crown Point Cemetery were moved to Huntington.
Note: Although his grave marker lists him as being born in 1890, in reality he was born on August 12, 1888.
Berthold was born in Sheboygan and raised in Birnamwood, Wisconsin. He attended the County Public School up to the fifth grade. The family was poor, but closely knit. His father was a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, a skill which he handed on to all his sons.
Most of Berthold's Capuchin life was spent tailoring at Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Marathon, Huntington, Detroit and Montana. His inventions and innovations were masterful, especially the cord machine fashioned from old typewriter parts, and the wooden clothes dryer that ran on gas.
Most of all, Berthold is remembered for his ministry at St. Labre's in Montana. He dedicated himself to serving and bringing happiness into the lives of others.
He always had his pockets full of candy for the children, and thus earned the nickname, "Brother Candy." The children would spot him at a distance and come running to him. Once, Berthold was traveling with the Bishop from Miles City to St. Labre for Confirmation. As they drove into the school yard, the children spotted Berthold and came running to the car. By the time the car came to a stop, there were 200 children gathered around. During dinner that evening, the Bishop remarked how friendly the children had been. He recalled previous visits to St. Labre and remarked, "This was the first time that the children came running to greet me. They were always very timid and would run to hide when I came around." No one had the heart to tell the Bishop the truth.
As St. Labre developed and modernized, Berthold sometimes longed for a less built-up place that could still use his homegrown skills. So at age 78, he transferred to the mission at St. Xavier.
Meanwhile, age and poor health were taking their toll. Berthold confided to a Friar: "There are many things I want to do for the mission, but my time is up. I am grateful to have been a part of this great work."
Throughout his last illness, Berthold never complained. He died peacefully. The funeral and burial rites were held at Crown Point, Indiana. Later, those buried in the Crown Point Cemetery were moved to Huntington.
Note: Although his grave marker lists him as being born in 1890, in reality he was born on August 12, 1888.
Inscription
Bro. Berthold Ascher O.F.M. Cap.
1890 - 1967
Capuchin 52 Years
R.I.P.
Sponsored by Ancestry
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