Alberta Sophia Riedner, 88, longtime Colton area resident, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. She was known to all of her friends as "Bert".

Bert was born in Omak, Washington on September 30, 1936 to Albert and Dora Bush DeVon. She was the second oldest in a family of seven. As a teenager, Bert moved to Colton, Washington to attend school at the Notre Dame Academy. She graduated in 1954 and while attending the Academy, met the love of her life, Elmer F. (Shorty) Riedner. Bert and Shorty were married at St. Gall Catholic Church in Colton on June 8, 1954. Shorty worked at the Johnson-Union Warehouse and Bert kept busy as a wife and mother. The couple made their home in the Colton and Uniontown community and raised seven children there. They were proud of the fact that each of their children attended parochial school.

Bert and Shorty moved to the Riedner family farm in Colton in 1971. In addition to her duties as homemaker, mother, and farm wife, Bert worked as a retail clerk at Dissmore's grocery store for several years and then for 32 years at Safeway in Pullman. She was a beloved "checker" and well-liked by those she served, counting many of her customers as friends. She retired in 1999 as inventory control clerk after more than 40 years in the grocery industry.

Bert was an active member of St. Gall Parish for many years, serving on the Parish Council and St. Gall Altar Society. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters. Bert was an avid gardener and loved tending to her rose garden. She was a voracious reader and well-travelled. After retirement Bert travelled around the United States, England, and Central America. She and her very close friend Zoe Purington took trips to Hawaii, and Bert loved a good cruise trip! She also enjoyed the occasional visit to area casinos in the company of her casino buddy, daughter Cheryl. Bert moved to Lewiston three years ago.

Family was the foundation of Bert's life, and over the years she attended many birthdays, graduations, weddings, and baptisms to celebrate her children and grandchildren. Bert is survived by her family including seven children; Debra Thomas of Lewiston, Elmer M. (Darcie) Riedner, Clarkston, Gary (Teri) Riedner, Colton, Theresa (Richard) Voshell of Scappoose, Oregon, Cheryl (Kendall) Loetscher, Lewiston, Thomas F. (Doreen) Riedner of Colfax, and Robert Riedner of Billings, Montana; 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Devlin of Puyallup, Washington, and in-laws Dale Streeter of Richland, Washington, and Dave and Marci Henry of Pasco, Washington. Bert had numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Shorty in 1985 and grandsons, Eli Jones in 2017, and Jacob (Jake) Riedner in 2024. Three brothers and two sisters also predeceased her.

The family also wants to especially thank Bert's daughter and our sister, Debra Thomas, who lived with and provided assistance, allowing Mom to live in her own home until the end of her life. And we would be remiss in not mentioning Bert's constant companion, her faithful dog Max. The family would also like to thank Bert's caregivers; Katlyn, Claudia and Bonnie for their amazing service.

The family suggests memorial gifts in her memory be made to a scholarship fund that has been set up for Jake's two young children at P1FCU in Moscow. Donations can be delivered or sent to P1FCU for the Riedner Kids Donation Account, 828 W. Pullman Rd., Moscow, ID 83843. On-line guest book is at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

The Holy Rosary will be recited for Bert at St. Gall Catholic Church on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 10:15 am, followed by a celebration of the Holy Mass at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at St. Gall Cemetery with a reception at the Colton Gun Club immediately after. Corbeill Funeral Home in Pullman is caring for the family.