Marilyn A. Johlfs was born September 27, 1926, in Iona, MN, to Bernard R. and Marie (Harms) Johlfs. She attended county school in Iona, MN, later graduating from Slayton Minnesota High School. She then attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD.
She married Barney O. Bergman in Sioux Falls, SD, on December 11, 1948. The family lived in Sioux Falls, and Watertown, SD before relocating to Rapid City, SD, in 1968. Marilyn took pride in her family and being a stay-at-home mom with their four children until the death of her husband, Barney in 1971. She then began a career as a math tutor working for the Douglas School District, retiring in 1991.
Marilyn was an active member of South Canyon Lutheran Church and volunteered in many activities throughout the years including the woman’s group. She was extremely active at Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center especially with the aerobics group, the dinners, and the center rummage/bake sales. She was named volunteer of the month in January 1998, and October 2000. Marilyn enjoyed volunteering at The Chapel in the Hills and was a member of the Red Hat Society.
Marilyn enjoyed living life, church, traveling, dancing, playing cards, hiking, rides through the Black Hills, baking, canning, decorating, taking care of her home, yard work and especially mowing. She especially cherished her times spent with family, and you would often find her enjoying life with the ones she loved. Marilyn always had a positive outlook on life, spreading happiness wherever she went, she had the best sense of humor, and loved to laugh. Those whose lives she touched are very blessed. She will forever be in our hearts.
Those left to cherish her memories, daughter: Kathryn (Lawrence) Oliver; sons: William (Judy) Bergman, and Brian (Angi) Bergman; daughter-in-law, Lisa Bergman, Andra (Scott) Hagen; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Barney, son, Paul, granddaughter, Jenny, infant brother, Charles, four sisters: Irene Gustafson, Lorraine Farrell, Margret Bieber, and Carol Jean Pralley, and brother, Wallace Johlfs.
Marilyn A. Bergman, 97, Rapid City, SD, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024, in Sturgis, SD, at Aspen Grove Assisted Living.
Funeral Services for Marilyn will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis, with visitation one-hour prior to the service.
Interment will follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
A memorial has been established.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Kinkade Funeral Chapel of Sturgis, and George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
