May Bergstrom, age 91, of Northfield, formerly of Anoka County, passed away March 9, 2018 at Northfield Retirement Community. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 13th at Zion Lutheran Church, 1602 – 4th Avenue, in Anoka with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley. Burial will be in Isanti Union Cemetery.
May was born in Minneapolis, MN, on March 24, 1926 to Swedish immigrants Anna and Carl Peterson. After the market crash of 1929, Carl wanted his family to be safely fed and cared for on a farm, so he moved them to Milaca, MN.
May had a wonderful upbringing in Milaca, and she enjoyed telling us of her many childhood memories and adventures. Then, in 1941, everything changed: her older brothers, Carl and Harry, left to fight the war while May graduated high school and moved to Minneapolis. There, she attended secretary school and welded heaters on B-17 bombers at a factory near the Minneapolis airport. Government officials were so impressed with her work that she was recommended for a job at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where she went to work as a secretary for a US Army general; and then later at the US Dept. of Agriculture.
When the war ended, May wanted to go home to see her family, especially her brothers whom she hadn’t seen for four years. She never lived outside Minnesota again. May worked, had two children, Tanja and Ingrid, and enjoyed a 41 year marriage to Coleman, the love of her life. Her best memories were on Mille Lacs Lake, boating, fishing and snowmobiling with Coleman and her girls.
May was an exceptional cook; she could make anything taste good! Anyone lucky enough to sit at her table enjoyed a hearty, delicious meal. She also loved shopping, especially at Dayton’s in downtown Minneapolis. She enjoyed theatre and music events– even driving through snow storms to see her favorite shows. She loved Zion church, where she volunteered for years, as well as her many hours devoted to the Animal Humane Society.
Her love for her family was unending. She loved her two sons-in-law and spent time with her daughters and their families as much as she could. She made every one of her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews feel special! She was full of fun, jokes, and laughter, and we will miss her greatly. We will love you forever, Mama.
May was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brothers.
My name is Karen Carlson, and my Mother, Sylvia Bengtsson (Wallskog – maiden name) was a long time friend of your Mother’s. My Mother & Carl (second husband) had a 35th Wedding Anniversary Party at Siloa Church in Braham, MN in 2004, and your folks were there. May was as humorous as ever! Your Dad appeared not in the best of health, but my folks were so glad they came! I know they corresponded over the years and visited each other on occasion. My Mother passed away in 2008, but I just wanted to share how much she treasured the friendship she had with May! May God Bless you and give you peace and comfort at this time.
Karen Carlson