Bertha Adelia Koplitz passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born to Anna and Lars Handeland in Bellingham, Washington on March 27, 1931, and attended Mount Baker High School, where she was the valedictorian. After graduating from Washington State University, at which she played field hockey and was secretary of the student body, her first teaching job was at Elma High School where she met and married Don Koplitz. The two moved to Skykomish before arriving in South Bend in 1962 with their three children and dog, Bingo, in tow.

Mrs. K taught physical education, typing, shorthand, and other subjects as needed, but her true professional passion was establishing opportunities for girls to participate in sports. As a driving force in the area, she founded all programs and coached junior high and high school teams in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and badminton. Amazingly, her badminton teams never lost a match. In 2009, she was elected to the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. In addition to coaching sports, she was the letter club advisor and director of the drill team that performed at halftime of the basketball games. Mrs. K also opened the gym (now the Koplitz Fieldhouse) to women of the community for Ladies’ Night on Mondays, and on Wednesday nights, it was open gym for the intramural Girls Athletic Association (GAA). Remarkably, until Title IX was passed in 1972, her only compensation for running this multitude of programs was the joy that her goal was being realized — girls could finally play sports in South Bend.

Above all, Bertha Koplitz loved her family. She went by many names: Wife, Mom, Grandma, Auntie Bert, and Cousin Bertha. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her son Steve, and her three beloved sisters: June, Laura, and Alma. She is survived by daughter Monica (Bo, deceased), son Brent (Lynn), and daughter-in-law Marla as well as grandchildren: Jason, Jeremy, Drew, Shannon, Quin, Mara, and Trevor. Her great-grandchildren (Roy, Isla, Neil, Aurora, Grace, Micah, Mae, and baby boy due in August) were lights in her life as were her many cousins, nieces, and nephews. In the final days, comfort was lovingly provided by Lyn, Linda, and Lisa.

At her insistence, no funeral service will be held. Instead, a celebration of life will take place in the Koplitz Fieldhouse at 1 p.m. on June 28. Donations should be made to support girls sports anywhere and everywhere.