Eugene A. Bergmann's Obituary
Eugene ‘Gene’ A. Bergmann, 67 years, of Columbia, IL, passed away on December 12, 2017, at Kindred Hospital, St. Louis, MO, surrounded by loved ones. He was born June 8, 1950, in Columbia, IL. Gene grew up in Columbia and graduated from Columbia High School where he met his wife of 45 years, Mary K., nee Schmidt, Bergmann, who survives him. They were married on September 23, 1972, in Columbia.
Gene was a big man with an even bigger heart. He was devoted to family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His job at Monsanto took him all over the world, but his heart always remained in Columbia. He had four main passions in life: family, friends, food, and fun. He was fiercely protective of those he loved and gave more of himself than he asked. He had a quick wit punctuated with a dimpled lopsided grin and one eyebrow ever raised in amusement. His advice could be direct or long-winded, sometimes even unsolicited, but it always came from a place of great love. The past few years were hard on Gene, and the last three months even more so. Gene was never a patient person, but throughout the last phase of his life, he displayed patience, grace, and humility that surprised even himself. His approach was to take it one day at a time; his attitude was that every day was a gift to be cherished. His last days were a testament to how he lived, surrounded by family and friends and even a hospital staff that had counted him among their favorites.
Also surviving, are his daughter, Nicole (Tracy Bucholz) Bergmann of St. Louis, MO; son, Scott Bergmann of Columbia, IL; three grandchildren, Braden, Zane, and Kebor Bergmann; two brothers, Charles Bergmann and Ben (Carol) Bergmann both of Columbia, IL; sister, Shirley Bergmann of Columbia, IL; sisters and brothers-in-law, Carole (Jack) Wayland, Nancy (Gary) Schlater, and James (Elaine) Schmidt all of Columbia, IL; nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends, especially Ronnie and Mary Habermehl, Dennis and Janet Trost, and Carole Faust.
He was preceded in death by parents, Charles ‘Brother’, and Esther, nee Taake, Bergmann, along with a sister-in-law, Linda J. Bergmann, and sister and brother-in-law Janet and Ray Dillard, and a cousin, Craig Jahr.
Visitation will be Friday, December 15, 2017, 4:00 - 8:00 pm, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, and on Saturday, December 16, 10:00 - 11:00 am, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, IL. Funeral services will be on Saturday, at 11:00 am, at the church, with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Paraquad, 5240 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, or Paralyzed Veterans of America, Gateway Chapter 1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center, St. Louis, MO 63132. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
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