Bergman, Cornelius (1890-1966)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1966 Apr 29 p. 18

Birth date: 1890 Feb 14

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS C. BERGMAN

Cornelius Bergman was born on February 14, 1890, in Gnadenthal, Manitoba. His parents were Cornelius and Katherine Bergman (nee Peters). His childhood was spent near Altona, where he also received his elementary education. He preferred working with people to farming, and so obtained a position with the Land Titles Office.

In 1916 he entered holy matrimony with Maria Dyck to which union two sons and one daughter were born. The Bergthaler Mennonite Church of which they were members, requested him to serve as evangelist in Morden. The years spent in this work were some of the happiest of his life. In order to be better equipped for this work, he took his family to Chicago where he studied a the Moody Bible Institute for several years.

In 1925 the Lord saw fit to take his wife from him. Their only daughter, Ruth, also died in infancy. In the same year he married Lydia Bauman and the Lord again gave a daughter to this union. At this time he joined the Morden MB Church in order that both he and his wife might belong to the same church.

The Lord has granted him much joy, but he was not spared difficulties in his married life. Though he was employed in various businesses, his main aim in life was to serve God and to build his Kingdom. Sunday school, evangelization and mission work were of greatest importance to him. From 1937-1956 his home was in Winkler. In 1956 he and his family came to Winnipeg where they joined the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, and enjoyed the love and friendship of fellow members and friends.

He enjoyed relatively good health but with age came also physical weaknesses. His heart began to fail, but he was permitted to work until the very end of his life. During the last few years he was employed as bookkeeper at a service station where he enjoyed the love and respect of his fellow employees.

On Easter Sunday, April 10, he went to church as usual. Upon his return home at noon, he related some of the blessings received at the morning service and at this point the Lord called him home.

He reached the age of 76 years, one month and 27 days. He leaves to mourn his much too early departure, his wife, 2 sons, Harold and his wife, Elmer and his wife; one daughter, Esther, (Mrs. Albert Unrau), now serving with her husband as missionaries in the Philippines; 14 grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.