MARY BERGEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY BERGEN 1912 - 2009 Mary passed away in the Victoria General Hospital of Winnipeg on September 6, 2009. She was born in Hochstadt near Altona and grew up in the district of St. Joseph. She was predeceased by her parents, Cornelius and Katharina (Hildebrand) Bergen; two brothers, Karl and Henry; four sisters, Anne, Elizabeth, Susan and Sara; four brothers-in-law, Sven Frolander, Abram Giesbrecht, John Wiens, and John Schroeder; and two sisters-in-law Mary (Dueck) Bergen and Elma (Klassen) Bergen. Left to mourn her passing are four brothers, Peter, Cornelius, William and Elvin; four sisters, Catherine, Helen, Hilde and Trudy; and two sisters-in-law, Tina (Schroeder) Bergen and Mary (Wiebe) Bergen. Mary was committed to her family, her career and her faith. Being the oldest of a large family she assumed responsibility from a very early age for cooking and sewing for the family. In 1931 she joined the Bergthaler Church, committing herself to a life of service that continued along with her secular career. Despite her busy life she did not lose sight of her desire to learn and establish herself in a career. In 1941 Mary enrolled in the newly established Elim Bible School in Altona. After she graduated in 1943, she went on to study at the Winnipeg Bible Institute for one year. In 1952 Mary graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse and thereafter worked in the Concordia Hospital until she retired in 1977. Apart from family and friends Mary enjoyed travelling, gardening, sewing and shopping for bargains. In 1967 she toured Europe, after attending the Mennonite World Conference in Holland and later made several trips to visit relatives in Paraguay. Mary's involvement with her family grew along with her other commitments. After her mother's death in 1984 Mary's home became the central gathering place for her large family of siblings, nephews and nieces, and continuing until her recent illness. The funeral of Mary will be held in the Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street, Winnipeg, on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with burial to follow in the Mennonite Memorial Gardens. There will be a viewing at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 09, 2009