Miriam Ruth Bergen, 103, of Primghar and Spencer passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, January 8, 2023 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Sioux City. Online condolences may be sent to
www.meyerbroschapels.com
Miriam was born in Chicago on January 9, 1919 to Max and May (Leese) Liebermann. She graduated from Sullivan High School and attended Northwestern University.
Miriam married Arthur Bergen on November 14, 1947. They lived in Chicago until 1951 when they moved to Primghar, Iowa where they purchased / operated Bergen’s General Store from 1951 to 1980 when Miriam retired. They spent lots of great times during summers at their condo at Lake Okoboji and winters in Destin, Florida making lifelong friends. In April 2011 Miriam moved from Primghar to The Highlands in Spencer, Iowa where she spent many happy times. In May 2022 she moved to assisted living in Waukee Iowa to be nearer to family.
As a young woman in Chicago Miriam was active in B’nai B’rith Girls. She traveled to Port Jervis, New York where she participated in the creation of B’nai B’rith Young Women. In Primghar she was active in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs holding many local and statewide offices. She was a member of Eastern Star and was active in social groups at local churches. She was very active in Peace Links in Primghar and represented all local Peace Links groups nationwide at their annual gala in Washington DC where she gave a heartfelt speech and met Queen Noor of Jordan. She served on the Baum Harmon Mercy Hospital board in Primghar for 13 years and for 30 years served on the Care Review Committee for the O’Brien County Home.
She started playing golf at age 72 and enjoyed playing with the Primghar Ladies Club for 20 years. She was a member of the Primghar Book Club and was an avid bridge and mahjong player, playing everywhere she lived. She was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Sioux City and a lifetime member of Hadassah. For many years she conducted classes on “Judaism in the Home” at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and spoke at many area churches.
She is survived by her two children Lee Bergen (wife Jean) and Raye Bergen (husband Hannes Spintzik), granddaughters Linsey (Bergen) Schlosser (husband Tad), and Katie Bergen (partner Brandon Thompson), “special” granddaughter Ruzan (Karhanyan) Morrison (husband Matt), great granddaughters Anessa and Liana Morrison and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Miriam was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Marcus.
Remembrances to the Southern Poverty Law Center (334-956-8408) or to a charity of one’s choice.