Olga Bertschi's Obituary
Olga F. Bertschi was born in Montreux, Switzerland on September 8, 1923. Her mother and father owned a restaurant on the shores of Lac Leman (Lake of Geneva). Her brother, Fritz, and Olga worked with their parents in the restaurant business. She enjoyed working and travelling all over the world in her early career and in retirement. Mrs. Bertschi went to hotel business school in Lausanne, Switzerland. Having successfully completed her certificate, it was quite useful in her future endeavors. She met her future husband, Ernest Bertschi, in 1950. She followed him in November 1951 to Barbados, West Indies and they married on February 29, 1952. Continuing in their travels abroad in May of 1952, they were sponsored and employed by the Western Hills Hotel, Ft. Worth, TX. Upon arriving in Ft. Worth, via Miami, the Bertschis had only $16 to their name. They both worked in various hotels and clubs in Texas. In January of 1958, they took over ownership of Mr. Peppe’ Restaurant. Mr. Bertschi, an accomplished chef, ran the kitchen and Mrs. Bertschi (Mme Peppe’) directed the dining room. It was well acclaimed and recommended by HOLIDAY Magazine for many years. Recipes and reviews were published in CORONET, FORD TIMES, and 5000 years in the Kitchen (a local cookbook).Olga and Ernest had 5 children: Barbara, Daniel, Ernest Jr. (Fred), Richard and Andre’. It was quite the family affair as their daughter and 2 eldest sons worked with their parents at Mr. Peppe’.Mrs. Bertschi was a proud member and loyal supporter of many organizations influenced by her husband. She was named Grand Dame of the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque (an honor society of the top 100 chefs in the U.S.) Other groups to which she supported were: Dallas Culinary Association Texas Culinary Association American Culinary Association American Institute of Chefs Les Chaines de Rotisseurs American Culinary Federation American Academy of Chefs Texas Chefs Association Les Amis d’EscoffierOlga and Ernest were also founding members of the Dallas Swiss Society.Mrs. Bertschi is survived by her sons, Daniel and Andre Bertschi; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Michael Meuwly; their 3 daughters, Meredith Meuwly; Mallory, Jake, and August Staats, and Marisa and John T. Peddy, Jr. Preceding her in death were her husband, Ernest; her mother, Julienne Meier; grandson, Stephen Meuwly; and sons Richard and Ernest Jr. (Fred). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: ARC of Dallas local Animal Shelters A charity of your choiceThe family requests that visiting hours be observed on Friday, April 13, 2018 from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral service for Ms. Bertschi will follow at 12:30 on Friday, April 13 in the Wildwood Chapel.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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