Bergen, Peter H. (1893-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Aug 18 p. 6

Birth date: 1893 Jun 25

text of obituary:

. . .

— Peter H. Bergen, 67, well-known blacksmith at Goessel, died Aug. 11 at the Bethesda Hospital after being a patient in the hospital since July 23. Funeral services were conducted Monday forenoon at the Goessel Mennonite Church, with Rev. Leo Miller officiating. Mr. Bergen was born in South Russia and came to the Goessel community in 1911. Surviving are one son, Ben H. of Goessel; five step-children, Jake and Annie Bergen of Goessel, Mrs. Richard Schmidt of Emporia, Mrs. Adolph L. Schmidt of Route 2, Newton, and Mrs. Milton Reimer of Route 2, Canton; three sisters, Mrs. P. J. Dick of Blaine, Wash., Mrs. Jacob F. Voth of Route 2, Newton, and Mrs. Abraham Giesbrecht of Winkler, Man.; and 11 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Sep 1 p. 8

text of obituary:

PETER H. BERGEN

Peter H. Bergen, son of Heinrich and Katharina (Enns) Bergen, one of 14 children, was born on June 25, 1893, in the village of Lichtenau, South russia. Here he spent his boyhood years and received his elementary education.

In 1911 his brother, John, who had previously come to America, went back to Russia for a visit to his parental home. On his return to the United States he brought father, then 18 years old, with him.

Father was baptized by Rev. P. H. Unruh and received into the membership of the Alexanderwohl Church. When in 1920 the Goessel Mennonite Church was organized his membership was transferred, and he remained a faithful member and regular church attendant until his death.

In 1916 when his brother John was taken in death by a gasoline barrel explosion, father was seriously injured too, losing the sight of one eye. He recovered and carried on the work in the shop.

In 1918 he married our mother, Elizabeth (Goertz) Bergen, the widow of his brother John, and took upon himself the responsibility of caring for a family of five children.

With mother, who preceded him in death in 1957, he spent 39 years of married life. This union was blessed with one son.

Father was a hard worker all his life, enjoying to be of service to others. Nothing was considered too great a sacrifice if he could do a favor for someone. He was especially fond of children and one of his greatest pleasures was to hand out treats.

He led an active life until he became seriously ill and had to enter the hospital on July 23, where he was given the best of doctors' and nurses' care, but the Lord called him home in the early morning hours of August 11, 1960.

He leaves to mourn his departure one son, Ben of the home, and five step-children, Annie and Jac [Jacob] of the home, Tina and husband Richard H. Schmidt of Emporia, Susie and husband Adolf L. Schmidt of Goessel, Mary and husband Milton Reimer of Canton; 11 grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Katherine Dick, Blaine, Wash., Mrs. Susie Voth of rural Newton, and Mrs. Marie Giesbrecht, Winkler Manitoba, Can., and many relatives and friends. His parents and seven brothers preceded him in death. Contact has been lost with the rest of the family in Russia.

Funeral services were held Aug. 15, at 10:00 a.m., in the Goessel Mennonite Church, with Rev. Leo Miller in charge. A male quartet composed of Roy Schmidt, Orlando Richert, Ormand Schmidt, and Kenneth Schroeder rendered the music. — The Children.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Oct 25 p. 694