Miriam Constance Bergus

In northern Sweden, on a day with no night, Napoleon and Engla's fourth daughter, Mirjam Konstance was born. She was the ninth of their ten children. Her mother was a midwife and her father a prominent evangelist. Napoleon and Engla built a strong Christian home; where Mirjam began her lifelong walk with the Lord at a young age. Unfortunately, Engla died in childbirth when Mirjam was 2 years old. Engla's loss only forced the siblings closer.

Around the age of 20, Mirjam followed her older siblings, moving from their country home to the big city. She had planned on being a teacher like her oldest sister, however God had different plans.

Mirjam's knack for business was manifested even as a little girl. By the age of 25, Mirjam had established herself in Stockholm and was the proprietor of her own retail business. By the time she was 30 she had 2 independent businesses in Stockholm.

When she was 30, Mirjam sailed to the USA to survey the land. Upon returning to Stockholm, she sold her businesses and shipped 7 crates of merchandise to Chicago, to seed her American venture. Starting from a borrowed retail space, a year later she moved into what would become the anchor location for her Scandinavian import business.

The following year Mirjam met Thomas in Chicago. A couple of years later, Thomas and Mirjam were married in Fort Lauderdale. Then two years later, her only child Peter was born. For the next 3 decades, Thomas and Mirjam shared the vision of working together to support the training of indigenous missions around the globe.

It had been challenging to leave her siblings in Sweden, but buying trips for her stores allowed her biannual business trips where she could also see her siblings. In Chicago, Miriam watched her family and business grow. One brother and one sister, moved to join her in Chicago during this time.

Retirement brought a selling off of the businesses, which at their apex, occupied 7 storefronts, or most of a city block. Miriam and Thomas relocated to Edmonds to be close to Peter and their future grandchildren. Edmonds became their new home where they found many friends and a wonderful church home.

Miriam lived a life blessed by the LORD, with good friends, a great business and a loving family. Now she has joined her family in heaven and is in the loving arms of her Savior, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We rejoice with her as she now sings with the angels, knowing that one day soon we will all be reunited!