Miriam Bergman

Miriam Bergman

Mount Vernon

On June 10, Miriam Bergman crossed the finish line at the completion of a glorious run of 94 years and 7 days. She spent the last 2 weeks in this world with her wits and sense of humor fully intact and on display to the steady stream of friends and family that had the pleasure to see her off.

Miriam was born to parents Willard & Emma Otterbach in Mendota, IL in 1931. She grew up on a farm and upon graduation from high school, took a big leap of faith and went off to school at Simpson College in Indianola, IA. She graduated with a Home Economics Degree and a teaching certificate. While at Simpson, she met a handsome, well-dressed jock from Des Moines named Don Bergman. While it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, four years later she took another leap of faith and flew out to San Diego, CA to join Don and get married. (Don had been called to active duty in the Navy in support of the Korean War.) One year later with a new baby boy and Don’s enlistment complete, they set sail in a 1947 Pontiac on a four-day adventure down Highway 6 back to Indianola so Don could complete his last year at Simpson.

Several small-town teaching/coaching jobs for Don, led to Cedar Rapids in 1961. Along the way, Miriam brought three more boys into the world. Miriam certainly put the Home Ec. Degree to good use by keeping 4 boys and a husband clothed and fed on a teacher’s salary.

After getting the boys out of the house, Miriam could get serious about her interests in antiques, painting and cooking contests. In addition to keeping her house well decorated with interesting pieces, she made a business of buying and selling antiques in several shops around Mt. Vernon and Lisbon.

Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dean and husband Don. She is survived by her boys Mike, Dave, Dan, Tim; their respective wives, Lynn, Jackie, Tonya, Dawn; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at The Barn by Water’s Edge, 507 E. Main St, Lisbon, IA on Friday, June 27, 10 AM – 12 PM.

Many thanks to the staff at Ridgeview Assisted Living and the care team at St. Luke’s. Please direct any donations to His Hands Free Medical Clinic in Cedar Rapids.

Miriam left us on her own terms with a heart full of pride in her family and gratitude for uncountable blessings accumulated over 94 years. May we all be so fortunate.