(Died July 11, 2012)
Leah Marie (Richard) Bergeron, a daughter of Hyacinthe and Aglae (Greenwood) Richard, was born February 25, 1912 in a stone house east of Willow City, ND. She was raised in and around Willow City and Overly and went to a country school through the grades then attended her freshman year at Notre Dame Academy. After that year, she quit school to help support her family by working at various jobs in the area such as a cook, seamstress or babysitter. She married Gerald (Jerry) Bergeron on December 18, 1938 and lived on the Bergeron homestead farm about 10 miles east of Bottineau where they proceeded to have six children, 4 sons and 2 daughters. Leah was kept busy raising her children and when the youngest was born, she had six kids under the age of 10 and was caring for her bedridden mother-in-law, Felicia Bergeron, who passed away in 1950. In 1963 her husband, Jerry, passed away leaving her with two sons still in school. She relocated to Willow City where she stayed until her youngest son was out of school. In 1967 she relocated to Bottineau where she rejoined and was active in St. Mark’s parish and also joined and became very active in the Senior Citizens organization serving on the Board of Directors for several years and heading up several committees. She volunteered at St. Andrews Hospital working with the elderly in various capacities. One of her favorite activities was leading a jazzercise class for elderly folks who were often years younger than she was. She continued doing volunteer work at the hospital until she was 88 when she decided to relocate to a retirement complex in Perham, MN. When she arrived in Perham she immediately started another jazzercise class for her friends & neighbors in the complex. Her volunteer work was legendary to the point of her having received several awards and certificates of recognition. But her greatest achievement was when she received the Peace Garden Award for being the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in Aging Programs for the state of North Dakota, awarded by the governor’s office in Bismarck in 1975.
Leah was known for her hospitality and cooking. You never went to her house without getting invited in and as soon as you walked through the door, of course you had to stay for dinner or supper or whatever meal was next in line. She was always attentive to her children and extended family and was first in line if anyone needed any help with anything at all. Leah will be sorely missed by her friends and relatives but the loss will be felt more deeply by her children and grandchildren who have had the privilege of knowing her love and kindness for their entire lives.
She is survived by 4 sons, Jim (Kathy) Naperville, 11, Dick (Ronnie) Perham, MN, Ken (Mary Ann) Phoenix, AZ, Don (Holly), Phoenix, AZ, and one daughter Marian (Ken) Bergman, Gurnee, Il; 18 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Leah was preceded in death by her parents and 10 siblings, being the last one to go to her just reward; by her husband, Jerry, her eldest daughter Alma (Ken) Wolf and 2 grandsons, Robert and Richie Wolf.
Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.
Linda,What year did you graduate from Bottineau? 1967 sticks in my mind?Now that you mention Jake and Agnes, I remember them being discussed several years ago with our discussions. I remember Trish Larson telling us about her enjoyment of their horses.Gary
she babysat for but couldn’t remember the one daughter’s name. In order
of birth, they were Randine, Roxanne, and Gordy. Randi was about two
years younger than me. She lives in Bowman, ND. I don’t know where
Roxy lives. The last I heard Gordy was still in Minot. If the picture
sent in by Mark is a picture of Eleanor, if must have been taken when
she was very young. She did have beautiful red hair and a very nice
personality. Orlan and my grandpa were business partners off and on and
we got to know the family pretty well. Randi and I had to do a marriage
skit for some kind of wedding shower or other lady’s function when we
were little kids. The ladies thought it was cute but Randi and I hated
every minute of it. Many of the Dunseith kids were involved, being
‘volunteered’ by their mothers. The preacher was Terry Halvorson and
one of the bridesmaids was Marvel Hill. I think others may remember if
they were involved when they see these pictures. Thanks Gary!
Dick
Terry Espe and Les Halvorson,You guys were hired as teachers, in Dunseith, in 1971. Does this gal look familiar?Gary
