Vern Bergstrom
Le Verne John Bergstrom was
born to Emil and Ester Bergstrom on May 21, 1915 in Cokato, Minnesota. In 1918, they moved to Boring,
Oregon. He graduated
from Gresham Union High School. He had three brothers, Bob, Duaine and Harley
and one sister, Ardis. Vern was the oldest child of the
family. He was a plasterer by trade and was always willing to do side jobs for
people just for the fun of it. He did numerous plastering jobs at the
church when needed.
On June 6, 1937, he married Gwendolyn
Long. They had three daughters, Sharin, Danelle, Margo and one son, Eric.
Margo died suddenly in 1967. Vern and Gwen were blest with eight grand
children and five great grand children.
He was a member of
Temple Baptist Church for more than 50 years. He was on many church boards
and was usher along with brother, Harley, for many years. Mother and Dad;
Emil and Ester also were long time members of Temple. They both died in
the spring of 1954, about a month apart. Vern died on March 9, 2003 in Portland, Oregon.
A memorial service was held at Temple Baptist Church on March 17th.
Vern had the contract to do the plastering on an apartment
complex in St. Johns while I was working there, thirty some years ago.
Victor Carlson, Dave Carlson's father, was carrying hod for Vern then.
Times like those were very special in my life. At one time the singer,
Johnny Cash, had a brother who at one time worked as a hod carrier for
Vern. Vern's future son in law Dave Meier, also carried hod for him.
He worked for Vern for a year.
The smile on Vern's face was genuine and he loved his Lord
and Savior.
Vern's favorite Bible verse:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
you own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge him. and he will make your
paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6
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