Beverly A. Bergstrom

Published 8:42 am Monday, March 19, 2018

January 7, 1933 – February 13, 2018

Beverly died on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, of natural causes. She was born at home, four miles east of Crane, Oregon, on January 7, 1933, to Byron and Elsie (Hill) Bennett, their youngest child. She was raised on the family cattle ranch, attending Crane School, until she departed for Eastern Oregon College in La Grande, Oregon. She met and married Robert “Pinky” Bergstrom in Burns in 1955. Together they had two daughters who were reared in Burns/Hines and Redmond.

Beverly was a natural teacher, though that wasn’t her occupation. She made learning fun; it didn’t matter if she was teaching her girls to embroider or balance a checkbook. She always celebrated successes and minimized failures, and could often turn the latter into the former using her ingenuity. She was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, instructing her daughters and other girls in knitting, cooking, and sewing. She modeled how important kindness is, how to maintain friendships, and how courtesy, patience, and respect should be extended to absolutely everyone.

Beverly worked as a legal and executive secretary in the Burns/Hines area. After moving to Redmond,she worked as a Welcome Wagon and Jazzercize hostess. Later, she owned and operated 8-plex apartment complexes in Redmond and Madras. At one time she was on the Redmond city council and planning commission.

Beverly enjoyed Jazzercise, walking, tennis, hiking, and cross country skiing. She was a skilled interior decorator though she had no formal training. She refinished furniture, taught decoupage classes, and enjoyed toll painting. Through her various activities she developed close and lasting friendships.

Beverly demonstrated unconditional love prior to that being a popular catch phrase. Her daughters knew they could always turn to their mom for love, support, and guidance. She and Pinky even moved from Redmond to Bend in 2000 to be closer to their grandson, Lee and daughter, Terri.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Vevera and her husband, Geoff of Whitefish, Montana, daughter, Terri of Bend, grandson, Lee McMillan, a student in Salem, Oregon, and her brother, Tom Bennett, in Madras, Oregon. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Pinky” Bergstrom, her parents, and her brother,Maynard Bennett.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209, or a charity of your choice. A memorial gathering will be held at the OXFORD hotel, 10 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend, Oregon, 97703, on Saturday, March 31, 2018, from 1pm to 3pm. Parking for guests is available in the adjacent parking garage, entering off NW Lava Road.

Please visit the online registry for the family at www.niswonger-reynolds.com