Martha Bergen

… On Halloween evening Martha S. (Tembrock) Bergen left this earth and soared to meet her husband, Leroy, who had preceded her in death by 7 years. She was 99 years old. She died as she lived: on her own terms, in her own house surrounded by her family and friends. Martha was born in Ogema, MN. in the summer of 1915, August 28. She was one of the seven children of Joe and Frances Tembrock. She was proud to be the daughter of the first banker in the town. After graduating from Waubun high school, she left her beloved Ogema to attend St. Benedict's College in St. Joseph, MN. Returning to Ogema, she met Leroy, a handsome, free spirited pilot who landed his small plane on the pond near her house and swept her off her feet. They were married in 1938 and settled on Willow St. in Detroit Lakes, MN. where she

handled the book keeping aspects of the Bergen's

Greenhouse, which Leroy had recently started with his brother Lawrence.   As the greenhouse expanded so did their family, not stopping until she gave birth to 13 children. After that she kept busy raising her children, providing the 3 O'clock coffee and cakes for the greenhouse work crew, attending her bridge club and participating in the spiritual and social life of Holy Rosary Church. Martha possessed an irrepressibly positive spirit about life. Negative clouds occasionally passed her way, but none dared settle over her head. She was extremely sociable and welcoming to all who crossed her path. Her and Leroy knew how to throw a good party; a trait they have passed down through the lineage along with working hard and sticking with a job till it is finished.  In her later years her spirit was constantly nourished through her interactions with her children, as well as her Grandchildren, Great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Many of who gathered around to say their good byes in her last days.  Her parting was swift and graceful, almost as if she planned it. In one week she traveled from social butterfly visiting others, to her death. She was a woman of determination. Once she set her mind on meeting her maker and those who had preceded her, she set out on her final journey.  She will be missed and toasted for years to come by her surviving children: Robert and his wife Cookie of Detroit Lakes, Raymond "Butch" and his wife Akama of Woodstock N.Y., Karen and her husband Robert Velline of Cold Spring, MN. Joanne Lane of St. Cloud, MN., Rick and his wife Sue of Maple Grove MN., Mike and his wife Patty of Salt Lake City UT., Patty and her husband Mitch Vogt of Detroit Lakes, Mary and her husband Marty Solmon of Detroit Lakes, Steve of Detroit Lakes, Joe and his wife Kelli of Cold Spring MN., as well as her 35 grandchildren, 46 Great

Grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her husband Leroy; sons, Ronald and James; daughter, Monica; grandson, Gabriel Solmon; great-grandson, Steven Selezan; and son-in-Law, Don Lane. Also preceding her are all her siblings: Alvina, Sadie, Angeline, Monica, Marcella and Raymond.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Service
Friday, November 7, 2014

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