May 4, 1935 ~ April 1, 2015
VISITATION DETAILS
Monday, April 6, 2015
5:30-7:00 PM
Congregational United Church of Christ
Harlan, IA
(get directions)
The family will be present to greet friends during the Visitation.
A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM at the church.
MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
11:00 AM
Congregational United Church of Christ
Harlan, IA
(get directions)
SURVIVORS
Husband – Charles L. Bergstrom of Harlan, IA
2 Daughters – Patricia Robinson of Irwin, IA
Laurel (Tim) Burger of Harlan, IA
1 Sister – Geraldine Ahlers of Norfolk, NE
1 Sister-in-law – Lois (Carl) Johnson of Omaha, NE
4 Grandchildren – Jason (Kaitlyn) Burger of Harlan, IA
Jesse (Brianne “Bri”) Burger of Omaha, NE
Christian Robinson of Irwin, IA
Jaedyn Robinson of Irwin, IA
1 Great-granddaughter – Lillian Burger of Harlan, IA
Other Relatives & Friends
Evelyn Ann Bergstrom was born at West Point, Nebraska on May 4, 1935, to Homer D. and C. Elizabeth (Prawitz) Thompson. She attended Wisner Public Schools, graduating in May, 1952. She served as Countess of Ak-Sar-Ben in 1953.
She received an Associate in Arts degree from Norfolk Junior College in Norfolk, Nebraska in May, 1954. During this time, she worked at the Norfolk church and in the Personnel Office at the Norfolk State Hospital. She married Charles Bergstrom of Ewing, Nebraska, on August 24, 1956.
Following their marriage, they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Charles attended the University of Nebraska for one year. They then moved to Wayne, Nebraska, where Charles received his Bachelor of Arts in Education in May, 1959. While in Wayne, Evelyn worked in the Placement Bureau at Wayne State Teachers College.
They moved to Cumberland, Iowa, in 1959 where Charles taught at the Cumberland-Massena Schools. They moved to Harlan, Iowa, in 1962, where Charles taught high school mathematics. Evelyn worked as part-time secretary at the Congregational Christian Church before she began working full time at the Harlan Municipal Utilities in October, 1980 until her retirement in 1997. She returned to working part-time at the Congregational United Church of Christ until December, 2011. She taught Sunday School classes and enjoyed playing the organ and keyboard during Sunday worship.
Evelyn was a member of Eastern Star chapters in Wisner, Nebraska, and Cumberland, Iowa, a member of Shelby County Republican Women for several years, she served as secretary on the Myrtue Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, held offices of Vice President and President in the church Priscillas organization, and was an assistant Girl Scout leader while her daughters were in scouts.
Her hobbies included traveling, knitting, taking classes at Iowa Western Community College and reading. Her favorite places they visited included Fort Robinson, Nebraska, the Black Hills, Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco.
Evelyn A. Bergstrom died on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 79 years, 10 months, and 28 days.
She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter, Denise. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Charles L. Bergstrom of Harlan, Iowa; her two daughters, Patricia Robinson of Irwin, Iowa, and Laurel (Tim) Burger of Harlan, Iowa; three grandsons, Jason (Kaitlyn) Burger and their daughter, Lillian, of Harlan, Iowa; Jesse (Brianne “Bri”) Burger of Omaha, Nebraska, and Christian Robinson of Irwin, Iowa; one granddaughter, Jaedyn Robinson of Irwin, Iowa; her sister, Geraldine Ahlers of Norfolk, Nebraska; one sister-in-law, Lois (Carl) Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.
The memorial service was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Donna Ewert officiating. Music was provided by Jim Thompson, Linda Boggs, and the Congregational United Church of Christ choir. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.