Lerstrom, Pollyanna (Bergman) 1919 - 2014

LERSTROM, BERGMAN, DECKER, HANLON, PETERSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/2/2015 at 14:43:03

Pollyanna B. Lerstrom, age 95 of Decorah, Iowa, died Friday morning, December 26, 2014 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, with the Rev. John Caldwell officiating.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at First United Methodist Church.

Pollyanna Bergman Lerstrom was born on October 26, 1919 in Crested Butte, Colorado to Carl George Bergman and Nellie (Decker) Bergman on the family homestead ranch which was founded by her grandparents in the 1880’s. She went to school in the Chicago area. She volunteered in YMCA for many years as a Senior Life Guard, a Water Safety Instructor, and taught many children to swim and love the water. Polly married Carl R. Lerstrom on September 28, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. She was both a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and served as a Water Director in summer camps as her children were growing up. She was an exercise enthusiast and loved the outdoors. She spent many hours camping with her family, riding bikes, swimming and playing golf. She was also involved with yoga and taught at a beginner level. Polly retired from the Electro Motive division of General Motors in 1976 as an accountant.

She and her husband raised their children in Downers Grove, Illinois. They later lived in Bella Vista, Arkansas, Macomb, Illinois, and after her husband died, moved to Decorah, Iowa in 2003 to be close to her son and daughter-in-law.

She was a member of the Hannah Lee chapter of the DAR in Decorah, Women’s Club member, and Beta Sigma Chi member. For her entire life, she was an active member in the Methodist church. Polly loved golf, was an avid bridge player, and enjoyed attending Decorah high school and Luther College athletic events. In Decorah, she lived independently in Vennehjem until her death.

Polly is survived by one daughter Marjorie Jean (Brendan) Hanlon of Duxbury, Mass, one son Dr. Alan (Edith) Lerstrom of Decorah, Iowa, two granddaughters Kristin (Dan Peterson) Lerstrom of St. Paul, Minnesota and Nell Hanlon of New York, New York, one grandson Eric (Kazuyo) Lerstrom of Yokohama, Japan, one great-granddaughter Maya Lerstrom of Yokohama, Japan, two great-grandsons Alec Carl Lerstrom Peterson of St. Paul, Minnesota and Kai Lerstrom of Yokohama, Japan and one step-great-grandson, Evan Peterson of St. Paul, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Warren Bergman, sister-in-law Violet Bergman of Crete, Illinois and son-in-law, Brendan Hanlon of Duxbury, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Aase Haugen Home handicapped van fund: Aase Haugen Senior Services, 4 Ohio Street, Decorah, Iowa 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home Database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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