Gudrun Ager Bergh, 1904–2008

Gudrun Fredrikke Ager Bergh, 104, a lifetime resident of Eau Claire passed away on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at the Syverson Home.

She was born Jan. 5, 1904, in the family home on Chestnut Street to Waldemar Theodor and Gurolle (Blestren) Ager as the second of nine children in the family. Gudrun married Milo Bergh on Aug. 14, 1929, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Minn. She began her schooling at the Norwegian School (located on Fifth Avenue and Hudson Street) for her first year of classes before attending the Eau Claire public schools. After high school she attended Hunt's Business College in Eau Claire, and then worked for several years in the offices of Samuelson's Dry Goods Store and the Midelfort Clinic prior to her marriage.

Gudrun lived independently in her own home past age 100, at which time she fell and broke her hip. She has since then been a resident of the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire. She celebrated her 100th birthday at a party given by her daughters at the Ager House, where she had been born 100 years earlier. Her hobbies included crafts, crewel embroidery, Norwegian needlework, reading, organizing photo albums and her Norwegian heritage. She thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Norway in 1983 with her daughter.

She was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church and, in younger days, was active in youth groups, choir, ladies aid and church circles. She also had been a member of Luther Hospital Guild, Eau Claire Women's Club, Order of Eastern Star, Sons of Norway, Nordmanns Forbundet, the Ager Association and the Eau Claire Camera Club. Gudrun is the last surviving member of her sewing club, which had about a dozen members and was organized when she was a teenager. The group retained close friendships throughout their lifetimes until 2000 when the last other surviving member died.

Gudrun is survived by her two daughters, Karren Bloom of Burnsville, Minn., Barbara (Fritz) Culver of Madisonville, La.; five grandchildren, Ray (LeAnn) Bloom of Eagan, Minn., Beth (Doug) Bitney of Chanhassen, Minn., Jeff (Stacey) Culver of Mandeville, La., Vicki (Jim) Anderson of Rockport, Texas, and Pam Culver of La Crosse; five great-grandchildren, Mariah, Kara and Hailey Bloom, Jack Bitney and Erin Culver; and four step-grandchildren, Teryl (David) Shields, Ashley (Nils) Hammerich, James Anderson, and Jason Anderson. Gudrun is further survived by her brother, Roald S. Ager of Barron; brother-in-law, John W. Best of Barron; two sisters-in-law of her husband, Catherine Bergh and Aza Bergh, both of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Milo, in 1974; her son-in-law, John R. Bloom; seven siblings and their spouses, Eyvind (Inga) Ager, Trygve (Elvira) Ager, Valborg (Arnt) Oyen, Solveig Best, Magne Ager, Hildur (Albert) Nicolai, and Borghild (Richard) Derge.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, at First Lutheran Church, with Pastor John Yungerberg officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Eau Claire. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the time of service Monday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Waldemar Ager Association or to the donor's choice.

Gudrun Fredrikke Ager Bergh

Gudrun as a girl, 1911

With extended family in 1941