Samuel Bergen

BERGEN, Samuel

1924-2018

Samuel Bergen was born on May 5, 1924, in Burwalde, South Russia (Soviet Ukraine), now Ukraine, to Maria (Wiebe) Bergen and Solomon Bergen. One month later, together with his twin brother John, his parents, two older brothers and a sister, he emigrated to Canada.  The family settled at Cactus Lake, Saskatchewan, where Sam began school. He finished his education at Luseland, where he farmed with his family. On July 27, 1947, he married Helen Martens at Glenbush, SK and they moved to a dairy farm at Langley Prairie, BC, with Sam’s parents. After a brief stint in the lumber business at New Westminster, they relocated back to Luseland to farm for ten years.  Here the young family grew to five children. They moved to Lacombe, Alberta, in 1960 and settled in the Fairview District, where they farmed for eighteen years. Their youngest son was born there in 1965.  Sam, Helen, and Wilfred moved to BC where they enjoyed their home near Naramata, overlooking Okanagan Lake, for ten years before returning to Lacombe.  Sam loved cars, trucks, tractors, and especially motor homes, and he never tired of visiting with friends and also strangers. His favorite place was behind the wheel of an RV. Sam enjoyed traveling in Canada and to many points in the US, from Phoenix west to California, east to Florida, north to Alaska, and south to Mexico. Sam and Helen also took several trips abroad.  Sam is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen; sister, Ann; sister-in-law, Hilda; six children, Les (Judy), Vic (Sue), Karen (David), Sylvia (Peter), Doris, Wilfred (Gloria); ten grandchildren, Sean, Christy, Nicole, Marla, Karly, Katrina, Elayna, Eric, Marie, and Arlo; and three great-grandchildren, Nate, Leni, and Reid.  Sam was predeceased by his parents; his older brothers, Pete and Jack; his twin brother, John; younger brothers, Abe and Ben; sister Mary; his seven year-old daughter, Judith; and son-in-law, Laymon Whyte.  Sam will be fondly remembered by the extended Bergen and Martens families and many friends and neighbours. Thank you to Dr. Olivier and to Misty Patterson and the staff at Royal Oak for their thoughtful care.

Funeral Service will be held from St. Andrew’s United Church, 5226-51 Ave., Lacombe, AB. on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place at the Fairview Cemetery, Lacombe, Alberta earlier at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Food Grains Bank, CNIB, or the charity of your choice.  Condolences may be made by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

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