Alberta Jo “Bertie” Abplanalp (Stein), age 79 of Batesville, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday April 1, 2026, at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. Born March 11, 1947, in Batesville, she was the daughter of Aloysius J. and Frances M. Stein (Wolfe). Frances M. died less than a year after Bertie was born. Bertie had a stepbrother, Burt Porter. She was raised by her grandma Frances and uncle Paul Stein on Henry Street. Bertie’s uncle Albert and aunt Georgene “Squeaky” Stein and their four children – Pat, Tim, Teri, and Jana – were a very important part of her life growing up. Bertie attended St. Louis School and graduated from high school at Immaculate Conception Academy in Oldenburg in 1965. Bertie married Ron Abplanalp on November 26, 1966, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville. Bertie and Ron’s love story bloomed and thrived for 59 years before Ron’s passing in January 2025. Aside from being a lifelong homemaker, Bertie worked retail at various clothing stores and retired from Band Box Cleaners.
Bertie lived a meaningful life filled with unwavering love and sacrifice for others. She was a faithful wife, thoughtful and selfless, kind and humorous and courageous and resilient even in the hardest of times. Bertie found great joy in spending time with her family, sewing, cooking, dancing with Ron, and drinking a glass of French Lick wine. Bertie would have done anything for “her boys” and given anything to make her grandchildren happy.
Bertie was a devout Catholic, a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and choir, and she displayed continuous faith throughout her life. She leaves behind precious moments and a legacy of strength, perseverance, and a lifetime of serving others that will continue to live on through her family, friends, and everyone who met her. Over her lifetime, Bertie brought many smiles and offered a helping hand to her countless friends, family, colleagues, and her DaVita nurses. Bertie remained positive, joyful, and fearless, making the most of life’s toughest moments. Her heart never left her beloved husband, Ron, and she was at peace knowing she would be reunited with him again.
She is survived by her sons Patrick of Indianapolis, Indiana, Bradley (Tessa) of Mitchell, Indiana, and Daniel of Batesville, Indiana; grandchildren A.J., Emma Kate, Lily, Jack, and Lucy Abplanalp; sister-in-law Pamela Abplanalp of Hartsville, Indiana.
Visitation is Wednesday, April 8th, from 9:00 – 11:45 a.m., at Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville, with a rosary service at 9 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville, with Fr. John Barker OFM officiating. The burial will be at St. Louis Cemetery in Batesville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Hospital Hospice or the Batesville EMS. For online condolences, please go to www.weigelfh.com.