Bernice A. Gergen was born to John and May Ellen (Moore) Wilger June 4, 1915 at York and passed away on Jan.21, 2000 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln. She was one of five children in the family.

She attended schools in Colorado and Nebraska and was a member of the 1933 graduating class of Exeter. She was married to Norbert Gergen on Oct. 14, 1940. This year they would have celebrated sixty years of marriage. They have spent all of their married life in the Geneva area -59 years at the present farmstead. Three children were born to this union.

Bernice had a passion for artwork. She started painting at the age of thirteen and enjoyed painting in all medians. She enjoyed attending workshops to further her knowledge in different medians. She was privileged to have her paintings displayed at different locations such as the Nebraska State Capitol, the Haymarket, Miller & Paine and several other locations. Annual trips to display her artwork at Art in the Park in Kearney were always a highlight of the summer followed by displaying a few pictures at the Nebraska State Fair in the fall. Many people in our community and people throughout the state have a piece of her work either in their home or their office. Every sunset, snowfall, flowering tree or old farmstead created an inspiration for a new picture. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren sharing her love of painting. One particular summer all five grandchildren spent a week together at Grandpa and Grandma's. Every day after the noon meal, Grandma was tutor to five aspiring artists. Kim drew and painted animals, Jeff drew cars and trucks, Tim had a liking for planes, Jaime painted flowers and Jared tried all, as it was so much fun.

The following appeared in a 1962 edition of The Nebraska Signal

For the third year, Mrs. Norbert Gergen of Geneva has been named a winner in the popularity vote at the art show at Miller & Paine store in Lincoln, sponsored by the Lincoln Artists Guild, of which Mrs. Gergen is a member.

Prizes were given by Lincoln firms. Mrs. Gergen received a $15 credit at The Nebraska Book Co. She has been a member of the Artist Guild four years. Her prize winner this year is a farm scene, which she has agreed to display in The Signal window in the near future.

Her parents and her sister, Irene Peterson, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband, Norbert; son, Gary and wife Pat of Lincoln; daughters, Marilyn Kimbrough and Betty Gergen of Lincoln; grandchildren, Kim (Gergen) and Matt Lowe, Tim Gergen, Jeff and Deb Kimbrough; Jaime Kimbrough, Jared and Alecia Kimbrough and great-grandchildren Ryan and Regan Kimbrough.

Funeral services were conducted from St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Monday, Jan.24, 2000 with Msgr. Ivan Vap officiating.

Casket bearers were Jared Kimbrough, Jeff Kimbrough, Tim Gergen, Matt Lowe, Bob Engle and Ron Ruhl.

Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery, Geneva with Farmer and Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorials should be directed to Fillmore County Hospital or the Geneva Rescue Unit.

The family of Bernice Gergen would like to thank everyone for all the kind expressions of thought, prayers, flowers, cards and food and whatever else that you may have done at the time of the loss of our wife, mother and grandmother.

NORBERT,

GARY, PAT AND FAMILY

MARILYN AND FAMILY

BETTY