Nils Bergman
1916 – 2011
On January 1st, 2011 Nils Olaf Stanley Bergman died peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital at the age of 94. Nils was born and raised in Kenora and lived most of his life on the property he grew up on in Norman. Nils is predeceased by his wife Florence. Left to cherish his memory are his children Eric (Irene), Bruce (Vickie), Lorraine (Stephen) Simpkin and Neil (Michelle); grandchildren Leif (Crystal), Cody, Nils, Clayton, Bethany, Svea, David; and great-grandchild Ethen. Family was most important to dad. He loved us all and we loved him dearly.
Nils was one of six children born to August and Ida Bergman who had emigrated from Sweden to Canada. He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings Herb, Gunnar, Charlie and Svea. He is survived by one brother, Rob. Nils is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Nils loved all sports but he was most proud of being named Male Athlete of the Year in his senior year at Lakewood High School and of the medals he won rowing when the Kenora Rowing Club won the Lipton Trophy in 1936.
Nils volunteered to serve his country during World War ll. In 1941, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He spent the next 4 years overseas as a radar mechanic.
Nils was no stranger to hard work. He attributed some of his physical strength to the chores he did growing up like carting pails of water from the lake to fill the water barrel each day. He was always building or fixing things. He worked in the family construction business until Bergman Builders was sold in 1978. Nils built his own home, his boathouse, his camp, two sailboats as well as various other water craft that his children had great fun in. Dad was happiest when others were enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Dad and mom’s loves of their lives were family, their camp on Treaty, and sailing trips down the lake.
Please join us in celebrating the lives of both of our parents Nils and Florence at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre; Pastor Cathy Giroux is officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation, 21 Sylvan Street, Kenora, Ontario P9N 3W7 or to Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home, 237 Lakeview Drive, Kenora, Ontario P9N 4J7.
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18