Shirley A. Bergum

BERGUM, Shirley A.

Shirley A. Bergum 79, of Holmen and formerly of Arcadia, Wis., passed away peacefully with her family at her side at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., on Saturday, December 23, 2017.

Shirley was born on October 24, 1938, to John and Elizabeth (Field) Losic. Shirley was born and raised in Hillsboro, Wis., on the family farm which she spoke fondly of even to the very end.

Shirley met the love of her life while in school at St. Francis, Peter R. Bergum.  They were married on August 27, 1960, in Westby Lutheran Church, Wesby, Wis.

Together they raised three children in Arcadia, Wis. Pete was truly her soulmate. They loved to be on the river with friends and family. You could always plan on seeing them putting in the boat at the Trempealeau landing on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Shirley and Pete were Emergency Medical Technicians and volunteered on the Arcadia Ambulance Company. Many a Friday nights you could see them both manning the ambulance service at the football games. They enjoyed 18 years of wedded bliss.

Shirley graduated from Hillsboro High School. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse. Her nursing career was definitely her calling. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Arcadia for many years before becoming Ashley Furniture’s first factory nurse.

Shirley welcomed in three new adults to her life when sons John and Bob met Karen and Robin, and daughter, Carrie brought James to the family. The biggest joys of her life for the last 25 years have been her grandchildren, Dane, Elizabeth, Alexis, and Courtney. Nothing lit up her face like the smiles when these four called or visited.

Shirley was well respected and loved by those around her. She has many friends who will miss her dearly in Arcadia and in her new home, Prairie Home in Holmen.

Shirley was preceded in death by husband, Peter R. Bergum on June 6, 1979, her in-laws, Burton and Vivian Bergum, her parents, John and Elizabeth Losic, her two brothers, James and John (Wayne) Losic, Carrie’s fiance, James L. Johnson and nephews Rob and Randy Losic.

Shirley is survived by her children; Carrie Bergum of Holmen, Wis., Robert (Robin) Bergum of Arcadia, Wis., John (Karen) Bergum of Holmen, Wis., her grandchildren; Dane, Elizabeth (Nicholas Pamperin), Alexis, and Courtney Bergum, sister; Patsy (Ralph) Taylor, and nieces; Debby Prickett and Lisa Taylor.

Funeral Services to honor and celebrate Shirley’s life will be held at 7:00 PM, Thursday, December 28, 2017, in Christ Lutheran Church, 821 W. Lincoln St., Arcadia, Wis. Rev. David Johnson will officiate with burial to be held in Our Saviors Lutheran Church Cemetery, Westby, Wis. Family and friends may visit from 4:00 PM until the time of Services in the Church on Thursday.

Memorials are preferred to: Christ Lutheran Church Quilters, for which Shirley sewed many diapers.