Elma Bergen was born to Henry P. and Susanna Schmidt on August 13,1929 in the district of Schoenau, close to Altona. She was the latter of twin girls, and the youngest of six siblings. In her early teens, the family moved to New Hope where she finished grade school. In April 1950, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by the Bishop of the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church and received as a member. On October 18, 1952, she married Jacob G. Bergen of the Ruderweide district. At that time, she also joined the Ruderweide Mennonite Church. Eight children were born to them: five sons and three daughters. The youngest two daughters, Joanna and Jeanette died at birth in March 1969.
She was also predeceased by her parents, Henry. P and Susanna Schmidt and her siblings; Susie (Corny), Jacob (Anne), Eva (Pete), Henry and her twin sister, Dora, Susie and Jake Thiessen, Neta and Frank Thiessen, Anne Bergen, Jake Friesen, Frank Bergen and Helena Bergen. Left to cherish her memory are five sons and one daughter: Ivan (Karen) of Winkler, Ken (Lois) of Winkler, Ron (Carol) of Winnipeg, Melvin (Karen) of Calgary, Harold (Sharon) of Winnipeg, Amanda (Andy) of Cypress River and sixteen grandchildren: Casey (Cam), Matt, Krista (Marty), Kendra (Michael), Kara (Dwayne), Kim (James), Matthew (Rachael), Danae (Marty), Tyler, Raine (Kaite), Brittany (Scott), Evan (Tedi), Caleb, Ayla, Quinn (Sandy), Keegan (Nancy) and 25 great grandchildren. She is also survived by in-laws, Linda Schmidt, John Neufeld, Sara Friesen, Mary and Ernest Lescheid, Gertrude and Helmut Friesen and many nieces and nephews.
Following their wedding in 1952, grandma and grandpa moved to Portage la Prairie where they lived until the Spring of 1954. They relocated to Ruderweide where they worked on several farms. Then in 1958 they decided to move back to Portage la Prairie. Grandma's life was that of a busy mother. Their five boys were born within seven years of each other, followed by a daughter six years later. She quickly learned how to run an efficient home. She kept a clean house but preferred her work out of doors. This was the work that she was most accustomed to growing up on the farm. Grandma was a woman that wasn’t afraid of work. Along with her household responsibilities and volunteering roles, she had a variety of jobs both in Portage and in Morden where they relocated to in 1972. She fostered children, worked at preparing and setting up for meals at Manitoba School. She worked in the Portage Thrift Store and Blue Jean Shop, and in housekeeping at Bethel Hospital in Winkler, Eden and Salem Home, also at the Maple Leaf School and Morden School Division Office. Many of her life long friendships were established through grandma and grandpa's involvement in the Portage EMC Church where she was involved in Sunday School, Five Day Clubs and DVBS.
When grandma and grandpa moved to Winkler in 1991, grandma retired. Her biggest goal in her working career was making enough money to purchase a piano. She had a love for making music, a gift that few people outside of her family ever got to enjoy. She couldn’t read music, but she played many instruments by ear. The guitar, banjo, accordion, piano and the organ. Until the day that she went into the hospital, you could hear her play the little electric organ at the front door, belting out a tune. When grandpa suffered his strokes, grandma became his primary caregiver. Her strength and resolve served her well. Even when he was moved across the street to Salem Home, grandma would bring him home for the day. When it became obvious that his time here on earth was limited, an early 50th anniversary celebration was planned. Ten days after the celebration (Oct 10, 2002) grandpa passed away. Grandma loved him dearly and mourned his passing deeply. She would often say “I had such a good man, why would I want another?” On the 15th of March at 1 a.m., grandma called dad (Ken). He took her to the hospital. She was admitted, and it was quickly realized that her heart issues had become more serious than any of us knew. She was moved to palliative care and in just a few short days, she became unresponsive. She quietly slipped into glory on Sunday March 19th at 10:00 a.m. Grandma, you will be missed. We love you.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise!
Psalms 98:4
A private family service on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Grace Mennonite Church with interment prior at the Rudnerweide Cemetery. Donations may be made in Elma’s memory to the charity of your choice.
She was also predeceased by her parents, Henry. P and Susanna Schmidt and her siblings; Susie (Corny), Jacob (Anne), Eva (Pete), Henry and her twin sister, Dora, Susie and Jake Thiessen, Neta and Frank Thiessen, Anne Bergen, Jake Friesen, Frank Bergen and Helena Bergen. Left to cherish her memory are five sons and one daughter: Ivan (Karen) of Winkler, Ken (Lois) of Winkler, Ron (Carol) of Winnipeg, Melvin (Karen) of Calgary, Harold (Sharon) of Winnipeg, Amanda (Andy) of Cypress River and sixteen grandchildren: Casey (Cam), Matt, Krista (Marty), Kendra (Michael), Kara (Dwayne), Kim (James), Matthew (Rachael), Danae (Marty), Tyler, Raine (Kaite), Brittany (Scott), Evan (Tedi), Caleb, Ayla, Quinn (Sandy), Keegan (Nancy) and 25 great grandchildren. She is also survived by in-laws, Linda Schmidt, John Neufeld, Sara Friesen, Mary and Ernest Lescheid, Gertrude and Helmut Friesen and many nieces and nephews.
Following their wedding in 1952, grandma and grandpa moved to Portage la Prairie where they lived until the Spring of 1954. They relocated to Ruderweide where they worked on several farms. Then in 1958 they decided to move back to Portage la Prairie. Grandma's life was that of a busy mother. Their five boys were born within seven years of each other, followed by a daughter six years later. She quickly learned how to run an efficient home. She kept a clean house but preferred her work out of doors. This was the work that she was most accustomed to growing up on the farm. Grandma was a woman that wasn’t afraid of work. Along with her household responsibilities and volunteering roles, she had a variety of jobs both in Portage and in Morden where they relocated to in 1972. She fostered children, worked at preparing and setting up for meals at Manitoba School. She worked in the Portage Thrift Store and Blue Jean Shop, and in housekeeping at Bethel Hospital in Winkler, Eden and Salem Home, also at the Maple Leaf School and Morden School Division Office. Many of her life long friendships were established through grandma and grandpa's involvement in the Portage EMC Church where she was involved in Sunday School, Five Day Clubs and DVBS.
When grandma and grandpa moved to Winkler in 1991, grandma retired. Her biggest goal in her working career was making enough money to purchase a piano. She had a love for making music, a gift that few people outside of her family ever got to enjoy. She couldn’t read music, but she played many instruments by ear. The guitar, banjo, accordion, piano and the organ. Until the day that she went into the hospital, you could hear her play the little electric organ at the front door, belting out a tune. When grandpa suffered his strokes, grandma became his primary caregiver. Her strength and resolve served her well. Even when he was moved across the street to Salem Home, grandma would bring him home for the day. When it became obvious that his time here on earth was limited, an early 50th anniversary celebration was planned. Ten days after the celebration (Oct 10, 2002) grandpa passed away. Grandma loved him dearly and mourned his passing deeply. She would often say “I had such a good man, why would I want another?” On the 15th of March at 1 a.m., grandma called dad (Ken). He took her to the hospital. She was admitted, and it was quickly realized that her heart issues had become more serious than any of us knew. She was moved to palliative care and in just a few short days, she became unresponsive. She quietly slipped into glory on Sunday March 19th at 10:00 a.m. Grandma, you will be missed. We love you.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth!
Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise!
Psalms 98:4
A private family service on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Grace Mennonite Church with interment prior at the Rudnerweide Cemetery. Donations may be made in Elma’s memory to the charity of your choice.