Bergman, Mary (1873-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Apr 7 p. 5

Birth date: 1873 May 16, W. Prussia
Date of Death: 1949 April 1, Kansas

text of obituary:

. . .

— Tuesday afternoon at the Emmaus church, Whitewater, funeral services were conducted for Miss Marie Bergman, 75, pioneer resident of the Whitewater community. Rev. J. E. Entz and Rev. Walter Dyck officiated. Miss Bergman died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, April 1, as she was about to get into her car in the driveway near her home. A resident of Butler county since 1878, she was the last of a family of seven sisters and one brother. Three brothers-in-law and several nephews and nieces survive.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Apr 14 p. 3

text of obituary:

MARY BERGMAN

The many friends of the Bergman family were shocked and grieved when the sad news spread: due to a heart failure Mary Bergman has suddenly departed this life. Her passing occurred on Friday, April 1, 1949.

Mary Bergman was born May 16, 1873, at Leske, near Marienburg, Germany, a daughter of Jacob and Justine Bergman, making her age 75 years, 10 months and 16 days at the time of death. When she was but six years old her parents migrated with their family of five children, together with other relatives and friends to the United States, as compulsory military service had been instituted in their home country. For her parents the departure from the flourishing homestead, which had been a family possession for more than two hundred years, was a serious time, yet because of their fidelity to the teaching of God’s Word they brought this sacrifice. It was the privilege of the dear departed one in later years to return to the old home for a visit.

Upon coming to America they located on a farm east of the present town of Whitewater. Here the departed spent a happy childhood and grew to womanhood, attending school in her rural community.

Being brought up in a deeply Christian home, she early gave her heart to Christ and was baptized upon the confession of her faith May 26, 1890, by the late Rev. Leonard Sudermann, thereby becoming a member of the Emmaus church of which she has been a faithful and active member to the end of her life. She was the first organist of the church choir. For many years she had been teaching a Sunday school class and was especially active in the mission sewing society of the church,

Her Christian life always had a ring of sincerity and wholeheartedness flowing out of unwavering faith and fellowship with her Lord whom she loved dearly and served faithfully. Her heart was outflowing with love for others. She was always thinking to make others happy. Of late years she had spent much time and effort in preparing and sending packages to those who are in need in Europe. It was indicative of her unselfish love and her great desire to aid that the last act of her life was to carry a heavy package to her car which was to be sent to a needy relative. She was a devoted sympathetic friend and helpful neighbor, and will be greatly missed in the large circle who knew and loved her.

Hers was a hospitable home. Not only the members of the family have happy memories of gathering on festal and other days, but many others enjoyed the hospitality of her home throughout the years. Many a student has been blessed by rooming at her home during the high school years.

One of her deep interests was the Deaconess cause which she understood and heartily supported, and the sisters of the Bethel Deaconess hospital found in her a true friend. At the time of her death she had with her a letter she wanted to mail, written to Sister Helena, in which she expressed her deep sympathy over the passing of Sister Ella and the loss to the sisters, mentioning Isaiah 45:15, but also expressing her deep confidence in God who knows best when to call and rejoicing in the thought of what it meant to go through the Pearly Gates.

After the fathers [sic] death she, with her mother moved to the city of Whitewater. On May 19, 1920, her beloved mother for whom she had so faithfully cared to the end, was called to her eternal home. Her life now became more lonely. This was however greatly alleviated by her deep affection to the members of the family and a host of friends, who deeply loved and honored her. For her nieces and nephews and many others she was always, "Tante Mariechen," and for the family she was "eine Familientante.” Her home always remained a family center.

One of the joys of her recent years was the companionship of the daughter of a beloved cousin, Adelheid Friesen, for whom she provided a home upon her coming to America from Denmark, to which place she had been deported from her homeland during the war. It was her deep concern that Adelheid have every advantage, educational and spiritual, that it was possible to give her.

She leaves to mourn her departure Adelheid of the home, three brothers-in-law, three nephews, seven nieces with their families and a host of relatives and friends.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 1949, with Rev. J. E. Entz in charge at the home and Rev. Walter Dyck conducting the services at the Emmaus church. The Thiessen Quartet sang at the home, church, and cemetery. Burial was made in the Emmaus church cemetery.

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Marienberg, W. Prussia
Daughter of Jacob and Justine (Fast) Bergmann
Single
Homemaker -- Whitewater, Kansas

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See Elise Bergmann (1878-1934) for photo with sister

Sources:
Elbert Esau 2000 corresp.
Grandma Online profile 778579
Find A Grave 9703377