Despite her behemoth appearance, Bertha is a robust wife and mother and exerts a domineering influence on her strange family. the well-meaning Bertha is coddling and forgiving to her two rambunctious children, but the exact opposite with Ralph. She is the quintessential matriarch and although the sparks do fly between her and Ralph, a fiery bond of love does exist. At times delicate in her mannerisms, often Bertha is as heavy-handed as a lumbering truck driver. Her main occupation is keeping the family together without losing her sanity.