Obituary of Therese Natalie Bergen

Bergen, Therese - Peacefully with her family by her side, Therese (Fast) Bergen passed away Sunday December 9, 2018.   She was predeceased by her loving husband Jacob (Feb. 18 1995).  Therese will be lovingly remembered by her 2 sons and their families; Henry (Andrea), Phil (Carol), her grandchildren, Stephen (Angeleen), Mark (Julie), Edward(Racheal), James, Lisa(Shawn), Jennifer(David), Sarah(Scott), and great-grandchildren, Vanessa, Benjamin, Matthew, Madelyn and Jack.  As well as her siblings Mary (Ernie), Henry(Betty), Walter(Karin).

Therese, (Resi, as she was affectionately known) was born on December 30^th, 1931 to Jacob and Natasha Fast (Toews) in the Mennonite village of Choritiza, South Russia (now Ukraine), near the Dneiper River and the City of Zaporozhye, near Dnepropetrovsk.  She came to Canada (as a war refuge) with her family in 1947 where they settled in the village of Arnaud Manitoba.  In the summer 1949 she accompanied her aunt Olga to the Niagara region to work at Boese Canning Factory.  It was here that she met Jacob Bergen.  They were married April 07, 1951 at the Niagara United Mennonite Church (NUMC).  In the years that followed they had two sons and lived in Virgil, St.Catharines, Niagara-on the-Lake, and again St.Catharines.  During that time Therese was involved at NUMC, from teaching German School, Sunday School, being Sunday School Superintendent and participating in the Women’s group and various other church committees.  In 1968 she went back to school.  Along with Hilda Regier, graduated from Brock University and Teachers College.  Over the next 15 years she taught on supply or contract.  Meanwhile the family began to grow.  Her sons had families of their own, and added 7 grandchildren.  Then, in 1995 her husband of 45 years died. Continuing to reside in her house, she billeted foreign exchange students until moving back to Virgil 1995.  During the next part of her life she continued to be involved with her family and the NUMC as well as volunteering at Ten Thousand Villages and Hospice Niagara.  Three years ago she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).  Since that time life had become increasingly difficult and her health steadily declining until her passing.

 She was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Mom, Oma Resi, Tante Resi, Therese will be remembered for her strong work ethic, direct and honest nature as well as her devotion to her family and faith.  The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Pleasant Manor and Tabor Manor for the loving care she received.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 11, 2:00 - 4:00 and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Niagara United Mennonite Church, Hwy # 55, Virgil.  Funeral Service in the church on Wednesday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m. with interment at Niagara Lakeshore Cemetery preceding the funeral service.  If desired, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated.