Bergen, Anna Koehn (1872-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Nov 26 p. 3

Birth date: 1872 May 2

text of obituary:

Bequeathes $150,000 Estate for Missions, M. B. Institutions

Reedley, Calif. — Bequests totaling more than $150,000 comprising the bulk of the estate of Mrs. Anna Koehn Bergen, widow of Jacob P. Bergen, have been made to institutions of Mennonite Brethren Churches, it has been announced here.

Mrs. Bergen, who died Oct. 13 of this year, left $8,000 to the M. B. Biblical Seminary and $8,000 to Pacific College, both at Fresno, Calif.

The Bergen residence in Reedley has been bequeathed to the Reedley M. B. Church with the desire that it be used for foreign missions and housing for missionaries who may be visiting here. The balance of the estate located in California, valued at about $110,000 after administration costs have ben deducted, was left to the M. B. General Conference to be used in mission work.

The will also provides that one-half the proceeds from sale of farm property in Oklahoma go to the conference. The property is valued at about $32,000. The other half is to be divided between 14 nieces and nephews.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Nov 26 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA BERGEN

Anna Koehn Bergen, the daughter of Jacob and Anna Unruh Koehn, was born in Waldheim, South Russia, on May 2, 1872. At the age of five she migrated with her parents to the United States and settled on a farm near Inman, Kan. From her earliest age she worked hard to make a success of pioneer life.

She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour at the age of 17 under the ministry of Rev. Peter H. Wedel. She was baptized upon her confession of faith by Elder Abraham Schellenberg and united with the Ebenezer Mennonite Brethren Church of Buhler, Kan.

As a young lady, still single, she homesteaded 160 acres in western Kansas, building her own little one-room hut and lived there in order that she might build up her claim. To make ends meet she found employment as a storekeeper in the village store as well as clerk in the post office.

At the age of 38 she was united with Jacob Bergen in holy matrimony. This union, which lasted over 50 years, was blessed with only one child which died in infancy. After living a short time on the farm near Hamilton, Kan., they moved back to Inman where they farmed. In 1934 they moved to Reedley, Calif. About two years ago Uncle Bergen was called home to the Lord and Aunt Anna took up residence in the Reedley Home for the Aged. Here she enjoyed the company and fellowship of close friends. On Oct. 13, 1964, she fell asleep in the Lord. She reached the age of 92 years, five months and 11 days.

We rejoice to know that we shall meet our aunt in glory. All of her brothers and sisters have preceded her in death. One brother-in-law, Henry Sperling, who is likewise over 90 years old, resides in the Penner Rest Home in Reedley. She leaves 14 nephews and nieces and many other relatives and friends.

The memorial service was held in the Mennonite Brethren Church at Reedley, with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. C. N. Hiebert, officiating. — The Family.