Mary M. Bergsten

Mary M. (Wrin) Bergsten, 96, former Minden resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Mount Carmel Home – Keens Memorial in Kearney. Mary was born on March 8, 1928 in Farnam, NE to William George and Marguerite Justine (Schnoor) Wrin, and was welcomed home by her older brother, John. She grew up on the family farm north of Farnam. She attended school in Ingham and Farnam, graduating in 1945. With 2 years of "normal training", she started her teaching career in 1945 right out of high school. Her first teaching job was in a one room school house without electricity or water, she had seven students. She continued teaching in small schools, including: Teal school, Horseshoe Bend, Norman, Heartwell, and Minden. Mary attended summer classes at Kearney State College each summer, until she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1960. She continued teaching until 1994, when she retired after a 39 year teaching career. She took some time off from teaching in the early 60’s to raise her children. She was married August 24, 1957 to Charles Wayne Bergsten, and to this union two daughters were born, Laurie Ann and Karen Kay. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, baking, and sewing, skills which she passed along to her daughters. She was a meticulous housekeeper and loved the home which she and Wayne built. As a hobby she joined several painting classes realizing her artistic talent. Mary was an active member of St John’s Catholic Church, Minden Lions Club, Kearney County Historical Society, and Nebraska Genealogy Society. Mary was able to live in her own home until 2022 when illness necessitated a move to Mt. Carmel Home in Kearney. There she received loving care both physically and spiritually from the staff. We are forever grateful for this blessing. Thanks also to AseraCare Hospice... these girls are truly Angels on Earth! She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and son-in-law, Melvin Randel. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Laurie LaVoie and her husband, Stephen, and Karen Shumate; grandchildren, Amber Miller and her husband, Bryan, Michael Albers, and Nicole LaVoie; great-grandchildren, Kerby and Evelyn Miller, Harrison and Emmett Titkemeier; as well as a host of extended relatives, students, and close friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden with Rev. Evan Winter officiating. Interment will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minden, with Rosary service at 6:00 p.m. Memorials in Mary’s honor are kindly suggested to the Kearney County Historical Society or to Mount Carmel Home – Keens Memorial in Kearney, and may be sent to the family at 1404 E 31st Street Kearney, 68847. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Mary M. Bergsten

March 8, 1928 - October 1, 2024