"We so enjoyed Aunt Mary and Uncle Kenny when they brought Eleanor and Augie to California to visit for a week. Mom got to see Aunt Mary almost every year during her travels to Bancroft or Arizona. We are so thankful that she took such good care of Uncle Kenny in his battle with cancer. We are thankful mom can be there for the funeral.
Love to all,
Doug, Jennifer and Denise Derner"
In loving memory of
Mary E. Bergman
November 22, 1947 - September 23, 2015
Mary Ellen (Berte) Bergman passed away September 23, 2015 at Friendship Village Hospice Center, Tempe, Arizona, from complications following surgery.
Mary was born November 22, 1947 at Estherville Iowa. She was the daughter of August and Eleanor (Kollasch) Berte and the oldest of 15 children. Mary was a 1966 graduate of St. John's High School Bancroft, Iowa. Mary married Kenny Bergman, of Bancroft in January 17, 1985, in Mesa Arizona.
Mary loved to cook. In 1966 Mary received the Crisco Award for outstanding student in home economics. No crowd was ever too big for her to prepare food. She worked for Artcraft Printing Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Later Mary and Kenny followed the wheat runs. She drove the straight truck and Kenny the combine. Mary would prepare a feast for anyone stopping at their campsite. Mary and Kenny moved to Mesa, Arizona where Mary worked for Bergus Printing and cleaned for a Jewish Temple.
She loved her family especially her nieces and nephews. She loved fishing and she enjoyed returning to Iowa helping her family with fall harvest. Many stories are told by her family of her love for her dog Tuffy. He was her constant travel companion. One story in particular covers Mary and Tuffy's visit to the Presentation and Franciscan Convents in Dubuque, Iowa and a blessing of Tuffy at the Basilica at Dyersville, Iowa.
Mary Ellen is survived by her siblings; Joan (Tom) Kellner of Livermore, Marita Cook of Thompson, Phil (Patty) Berte of Bancroft, Debra (Allen) Kahler of Ceylon, MN, Linda (Keith) Meyer of Mesa, AZ., Diane (Brian) Munyer of Ledyard, Teresa (Steve) Mulligan of Bancroft, Ann Mulligan of Apache Junction, AZ, Ruth (Bob) Nemmers of Swea City, Carl (Jennifer) Berte of Swea City, Steve (Mary Kay) Berte of Lakota, and Dan (Pam) Berte of Lakota. She is also survived by sisters-in-law; Mary Berte, Delta Berte, Donna Derner, Meredith McCleish, and Nancy Bergman; and many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Anita Frank; husband, Kenny Bergman; her parents August and Eleanor Berte; and two brothers, Arnie and Edward Berte. Also preceding Mary Ellen were brothers-in-law Michael Cook, Art White, Emett Dean Bergman, Larry Bergman, Leland Derner, Denny McCleish and a niece Emily Suzanne Berte.
Live Laugh Love, Laugh As Much As You Breathe, Love As Long As You Live, Till We Meet Again.
Tributes
"o had memories of Mary Ellen she was fun to work with. Mary Ellen was a true friend and a good boss. Remember all the good times thats the way she would like to remembered"
"Sorry to hear about Mary. My memory of her was my trip with Diane & other members of her family to Arizona for Linda's hubby's graduation. Mary was enjoyable to spend time with & will be missed by all. Our condolences to your family"
"To Mary's family,friends and loved ones. You have my heartfelt sympathy. Mary and I shared an ongoing friendship since first grade growing up together in Bancroft; IA which was truly a gift. In the sixth grade my mother(Evelyn Eckhart) bought us blue matching outfits and called us twins. To this day, the picture is displayed and treasured on her wall in Az and my wall in Mn. It was dear Mary. who inspired me to become a AZ snowbird. She was always looking out for the well being of her friends. Mary's spirit will continue to flourish,as my garden in AZ has agave plants that were planted today in Mary's memory and in celebration of her life. Mary will be missed more than words can express. She will always have a special place in my heart. Christine Fox (Eckhart) White Bear Lake,Mn and Green Valley,AZ "