Verdine Viola Bergling

Verdine Viola Bergling, 92, passed away 02/10/2017. She was born March 24, 1924 to Ed and Louise (Tonsfeldt) Shell in Boone, IA and was the eldest of 11 children. She grew up in Logansport, graduating from Boone High School in 1944. Her first job was with Northwestern Bell. While there, she was encouraged by co-worker Eila Bergling to write to her brother who was a 1st Lieutenant in the army overseas. This eventually led to her marriage to Herschel Bergling on August 20, 1946. The couple settled in Boone where Verdine became a full time wife and mother of two.

In 1962 the family moved to Mesa, Arizona for Herschel’s health who was suffering with emphysema. Herschel’s parents had been traveling to this area for many years and may even be considered one of the original “snowbirds”. Upon relocating, Verdine began working for JC Penney while continuing taking care of her relatively young family. Both Verdine and Herschel became active members of St. Lukes Lutheran Church, where they both performed volunteer work and had many friends. Verdine eventually retired from Penney’s in 1987 after 25 years. Verdine’s priorities were always concentrated on her family. She was known for her strong loyalty and dedication; she was the rock and the strength, always displaying an unselfish and hardworking demeanor.

In her early years she enjoyed gardening, both flowers and vegetables, canning, hiking for mushrooms, bowling and reading. Over her lifetime she volunteered for church organizations, fund raisers, PTA, was a cub scout/den mother, and Girl Scout leader. Every Saturday you would find Verdine in the kitchen making homemade bread, sweet rolls, pies and other goodies for her family. Playing numerous card games with family and friends was a favorite pastime, and she enjoyed leaving a few deposits at casinos from time to time. She was always there to motivate and cheer on both her children and 5 grandchildren.

Verdine passed away peacefully in her sleep on an early Friday morning while under the loving care of Joe & Lidia Trufin, caregivers extraordinaire. She will fondly be remembered as a caring wife, parent, caregiver and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed by many.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Loren (Mary) Bergling, Connie (Don) Hook both of Mesa, AZ and 5 grandchildren: Brent (Erin), Connor and Devin Hook; Ryan and Sheela Bergling; a brother, Mahlon (Fern) of Mesa, AZ; sisters Iola Leland and Jane Bass of Boone, IA, Mary Lou Sullivan of Dubuque, IA, Fran (Bob) Grabbert of Omaha, NE, Joyce (Ken) Patten of St. Paul, MN and sister-in-law Alice (Clayton) Fardahl of Des Moines, IA and many friends, nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Louise Shell; a sister, Karen Cowen Roush; a brother, Leland Ronald Shell; infant siblings, John Robert and Emma Jean; and her beloved late husband of 24 years Herschel who passed in February 1970.

A private family service is being held at Green Acres Cemetery, Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday, February 16. This is being followed by a celebration of Verdine’s journey at Karsten Golf Course Patio, Tempe for family and friends at 1:30. Memorial contributions may be directed to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation or National Parkinson Foundation.