Bergen, Elizabeth Goertz (1886-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Apr 4 p. 6

Birth date: 1886 Mar 6

text of obituary:

— Mrs. Elizabeth Bergen, 71, wife of P. H. Bergen, died Sunday evening at the home in Goessel after suffering a heart attack. Funeral services were announced for Thursday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite Church with Rev. Leo Miller and Rev. P. P. Buller officiating. Mrs. Bergen was a long-time resident of the Goessel community. Surviving in addition to her husband are four daughters, two sons, and 11 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Apr 18 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. P. H. BERGEN

Elizabeth Goertz Bergen, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Voth) Goertz, was born in McPherson County, Kansas on March 6, 1886. When she was two years old her mother died but the Lord granted her a second mother in Anna Schmidt Goertz.

She received her elementary education at the Hochfeld School.

On June 11, 1905, she was baptized upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ her Saviour by the Elder Petger Balzer and accepted into the Alexanderwohl church

She was united in marriage with John H. Bergen on May 6, 1906, with whom she shared 10 years of happiness and sorrow until he was taken in death by a gasoline barrel explosion on April 5, 1916. This union was blessed with five children, one son and four daughters.

In 1918 she married Peter H. Bergen, brother of her first husband. They enjoyed a happy married life for 39 years. This union was blessed with another son.

Our parents transferred their membership to the Goessel Mennonite Church, which was organized in 1920 and of which mother remained a faithful member until her death, although she was unable to attend services for the last three years because of ill health. A speaker system was wired from the local church to the home and she received much joy and comfort in listening to the church services.

Mother enjoyed good health until 1954 when she submitted to a cataract operation which restored her vision of one eye. However on the day when she was to leave the hospital she suffered a severe heart attack from which she never fully recovered. However, under constant doctor's care she regained sufficient health to be at home and enjoy family life. She was always concerned about her family and enjoyed especially the visits of children and grandchildren.

In her active years she loved to take part in missionary and auxiliary societies and spent much time in sewing for relief and mending for the local hospital and home.

She reached the age of 71 years and 25 days. On Sunday evening, March 31, at 8 p.m. she quietly fell asleep in her rocking chair, never to waken again on this earth. We feel the assurance that she is with the Lord in her heavenly home where we all hope to meet her some day.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband; children, Annie, Jacob and Ben of the home, Tine and husband Richard H. Schmidt, of Canton, Kansas, Susie and husband Adolph L. Schmidt of Goessel, Mary and husband Milton Reimer of Canton; 11 grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Anna Boese, Miss Marie Goertz, Mrs. Margaret Funk; one brother Henry J. Goertz; and a host of relatives and friends. One brother and one grandchild preceded her in death.

The Mennonite obituary: 25 Oct 1960 p. 694