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MARGARET BERGEN
Born: Jan 05, 1928
Date of Passing: Oct 26, 2023
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARGARET BERGEN
Margaret is survived by her sisters, Anna and Marie, and her brothers, Peter and Henry. She was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Maria (Peters) Bergen; her sisters, Tina and Lena; her brothers, Bernhard in infancy, Abram, John, and Jacob; her sisters-in-law, Hilda and Lillian; her brothers-in-law, Perry Exley, Lloyd Cook, Hugo Rosner, and John Schroeder.
Margaret was born in a one-room log cabin in Graysville, MB, the third of a family of 11 children. She grew up in Stephenfield, MB, where she attended the one-room country school, grades I to VIII. She then attended high school at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute and took her teaching training at the Winnipeg Normal school on William Avenue.
Margaret taught in one-room country schools for six years and one year in a two-room village school. She joined the Winnipeg School Division, where she taught for eight years. She also taught exchange in Coventry, England, for one year (1961-1962). While teaching, she took university courses by correspondence, night classes and summer school to get a B.A. and B.Ed. She took two years off while teaching to attend Canadian Mennonite Bible College and the University of Manitoba.
After 15 years of teaching, she decided to change professions. So, she attended the University of Manitoba for two years to get her Master of Social Work. She then worked as a school social worker for the Child Guidance Clinic of Greater Winnipeg. She was placed to work in the Norwood School Division, where she worked until her retirement in 1986.
Margaret enjoyed travelling. Once she could afford to travel, she would take a trip each summer. After she retired, she took three or four trips each year until age 84 and then only one or two until age 89.
After she retired, she became very interested in her genealogy and family history. She translated many family articles into English for her nieces and nephews. She also did her mother's family book in German and English.
"When at last I hear the Call
My fervent hope shall be,
That He who marks the sparrow's fall Shall do no less for me."
Margaret has been cremated, and there will be no funeral or memorial services. Burial will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Graysville, MB.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2023
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Margaret was assigned to my school to give support to needy students. She was a great support to me as a new teacher. She was also an inspiration to me. She encouraged me to become a reading clinician and to work for CGC, the same agency that employed her. I wished she had taught me more about the history of Mennonites in Ukraine and Russia. May she rest in peace. Margaret made a positive influence in her world through her dedication to the wellbeing of students, teachers and colleagues. May her memory be a blessing to her family and friends! - Posted by: Carol Hryniuk-Adamov (Margaret was the Social Worker assigned to my classroom at Holy Cross School) on: Nov 12, 2023
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Margaret was my trusted neighbour for over 20 years. Always the educator, she shared her knowledge of the history of Mennonites in Russia & Ukraine. Her vast knowledge of diabetes allowed her to control the disease strictly through diet and exercise. She truly was a remarkable person who lived a very interesting life. She will be deeply missed. - Posted by: Kathy (Neighbour) on: Nov 05, 2023
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I admired Margaret for her strict daily regimen of walking everyday. I often saw her walking in our neighborhood, rain or shine! She put me to shame, being 30 years younger! Thank you for the details of her interesting life. - Posted by: Barbara (Hairdresser) on: Nov 04, 2023