Mildred Bergeon

Mildred Bergeon was a woman cut of the warmest, kindest cloth, who always volunteered her time, her effort and her love. She was so many things to so many people a loving wife and mother, a loyal friend and shoulder to lean on, and a devout Christian and Sunday school teacher. People who knew Mildred were undoubtedly blessed by her unconditional love and her generosity of spirit. The year 1917 fell right near the end of World War I, though the town of Tustin, Michigan was far removed from the chaotic battlefields of Europe. The war was on everyones mind, yet entertainers like Charlie Chaplin helped to lighten the mood. It was into this paradoxical world that Mildred Evelyn Land was born on March 15, 1917, to Alfred and Hilma Land. She was joined three years later on their family farm by her younger sister, Gertrude, who completed the Land household. Although they lived on a farm, Mildreds father earned a living as a blacksmith while her mother was a homemaker. The Lands eventually left their farm in search of work in the big city of Muskegon. They settled downtown on 6th Street for a while before moving to Dale Avenue. Here, Mildred continued her education in the Muskegon Public Schools, and graduated from Muskegon High in 1935. The Lands were members of the Samuel Lutheran Church, and this strong Christian upbringing would always be an important part of Mildreds life. As a teenager, she sang in a trio with Linnea Jackson and Florence Beauvais, and they performed in various churches around Muskegon After graduation, Mildred went to work as a secretary at Brunswick, and it was here that she met a former classmate, George Bergeon. The two fell hopelessly in love and were happily married on May 10, 1941, in Mildreds church, Samuel Lutheran. The newlyweds made their first home together in an upstairs apartment in Lakeside, and it was here they delighted in welcoming the birth of their daughter, Joan, in 1947. It was soon apparent that the apartment was too small for their growing family, so George and Mildred had a home built on Hadden Street in the Glenside neighborhood. Mildred stayed home when her daughter was born, wanting to dedicate her time to raising her well. She was an excellent seamstress and made many of Joans clothes when she was growing up. She was also a wonderful cook and baker, especially when it came to her Swedish Rye Bread and Coffee Cake. Once Joan was in elementary school, Mildred returned to the workforce as a secretary. She worked in various offices before becoming the secretary to the President of Michigan Spring. Mildred held this position for 30 years. During this time, she and George also became business owners after buying Parsons Clothing Store in Muskegon Heights, and later The Villager in Lakeside. George and their daughter Joan mainly took care of the stores since Mildred continued her secretarial work. Even though Mildred and George worked hard to support their family, they also found time to have fun. The couple was very sociable and loved to spend time with their wonderful friends, Mel and Dorothy Reinertson, who were their neighbors, Doris and Al Johnson, Bob and Jane Anderson, and Millicent and Sherwood Basch. These close friends got together weekly, either at each others houses or out to eat, and they took many memorable trips together too. They visited Hawaii, New Orleans, Biloxi, Mississippi, and traveled up and down the east coastline, and even wintered in Gulf Shore, Alabama together for several years. Mildred, George and their friends were so close that Joan just thought they were part of the family. When she married her husband, Harold, he also became a part of this extended family, though he always boasted that he had the best mother-in-law ever. Outside of their family and friends, Mildred and George belonged to the Muskegon Elks and enjoyed their dinners and dances. Mildred also belonged to a Bridge Club with the neighborhood ladies. They both loved entertaining in their home, and Mildred was definitely a wonderful hostess. Since her childhood, church was always important to Mildred, and she was a lifelong member of Samuel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed being actively involved in many church activities, including as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, a participant in the Person-to-Person Group and Mary Circle. She also served on several church committees over the years. Mildred was truly a woman of faith. Although Mildreds life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. Mildred lost her beloved husband George in 1994, after several years of heart problems. She took great care of him until his passing. Thereafter, Mildred lived independently for many years before her eyesight caused her to give up driving. Her family and friends were then there to help her get around and stay active in church and social activities. About 10 years ago, Mildred suffered a stroke, from which she fully recovered, but as she grew older and needed more help, she went to live with her daughter, Joan. Hospice later came to help out until her passing on Saturday, June 27, 2009. Sitting in heavens garden, watching over her family and friends, Mildred will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Mildred is survived by her daughter, Joan (Harold) Dickert of Roosevelt Park. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, and by her sister, Gertrude Cosmo. Funeral services will be on Thursday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Louis Glick officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit with Mildreds family on Wednesday, July 1, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to Samuel Lutheran Church or Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Mildreds memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.