Helen J. (Crim) Bergman (1912-2016)

BERGMAN, CRIM, TILLMANS, HUDSON, BERG, BRENIZER, NEWLAND, MERICLE, JACOBSON, CAMERON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 1/30/2016 at 12:06:42

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Obituary for Helen J. Bergman

Helen Crim was born October 25, 1912, on a farm near Ridgeport, Iowa, the daughter of John and Bessie Crim. When she was a baby, the family moved to a farm south of Stratford. She attended country school through eighth grade and was a 1930 graduate of Stratford High School. Helen attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, where she received her Diploma in Rural Teaching in 1932. After graduating, she taught grades 1 through 8 in the following country schools: Marion Township School District No. 2, Fifth School District of Marion Township, Clear Lake School District No. 5, and Hardin Township District No. 1. Besides all the duties a country schoolteacher had, she also played baseball with her students during recess.

On October 10, 1938, she married Leonard Eric Bergman of Stratford. They settled in Stratford where they raised their three children. She worked in the family grocery store and later helped Leonard when he sold the grocery store and began farming.

Helen was an active member of the Stratford Lutheran Church. She enjoyed baking, canning, making jams and jellies, sewing, quilting, and reading. She was known for her baking prowess, especially for pies, cookies, kringlas, bread, and cinnamon or pecan rolls. For years she could be seen walking each day either along the road near her home or, during inclement weather, in the school gym. Throughout her life she was interested in, and followed, a variety of sports. She loved to read, especially newspapers and magazines, and you could have a spirited discussion with her on politics or world events.

Helen died on January 2, 2016, at Riverside North in Ames, Iowa at 103 years of age.

Helen is survived by her son, Alan (Connie) Bergman of Ames, Iowa; her daughter, Audrey (Mike) Tillmans of St. Charles, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Luanne (Doug) Hudson and Brian (Holly) Berg, all of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Michelle (Greg) Brenizer of Algonquin, Illinois; Tricia (Scott) Newland of Cumming, Iowa; David (Kellie) Bergman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Erik (Tina) Tillmans of Los Angeles, California; and Sara Tillmans of Crystal Lake, Illinois; her son-in-law, Cleo Mericle of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, two great-great grandsons, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years; her daughter, Jeanette Mericle; four sisters, Edith Crim, Ruby Jacobson, Lola Crim, and Genevieve Cameron; and five brothers, Floyd Crim, Edgar Crim, Severt Crim, Charles Crim, and Halbert Crim.

In memory of Helen, memorials may be given to the Stratford Lutheran Church or a favorite charity.

Memorial Service
JAN 16. 10:30 AM
Stratford Lutheran Church
812 Teneyck
Stratford, IA, US, 50249

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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