Donna Bergbower (85) of Effingham

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Published on March 27 2020 2:03 pm

Donna Bergbower, 85, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Effingham, IL.

Donna was born on June 26, 1934, in Scottsbluff, NE, daughter of the late Leo and Gertrude (Pieper) Lager. She married Don Bergbower, November 25, 1955 in San Diego, CA. As a child, Donna grew up on a farm in Steamboat Springs, CO with 5 sisters and 4 brothers. She was filled with a lively spirit and was always ready for a new adventure. She reminisced often about working hard on the farm right along with her brothers and sisters. She also played hard skiing in the mountains that ascended from the family farm in the Yampa Valley with a one room schoolhouse and the Catholic Church nearby. She was hardy, faith filled, loved her family deeply, fun-loving and always let her opinion be known. As a young adult, she left the mountains to live with her sister by the sea in San Diego, CA. It was there she met the love of her life who was a handsome sailor from Southern Illinois named Don Bergbower. They fell in love, married and while following a military career path, welcomed their first child, a daughter into the world in San Francisco, CA. Then they went to Pearl Harbor, HI and welcomed two sons. After several more stops, Don became a Naval Recruiter in Arkansas and welcomed another two sons into the fold. Retiring from the U.S. Navy, they settled in Southern Illinois with plenty of wooded acreage to build their dream home and let the children grow and mature around cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and extended family. It was there that Donna and Don began BERGBOWER UPHOLSTERY. They worked side by side for over 20 years and raised their family with much love and gusto. Donna especially liked playing cards, bowling, and tole painting. Once the grandchildren started to arrive, Don and Donna moved to Effingham to retire and spoil the next generation. Don and Donna belong to Sacred Heart Parish and volunteered at the Church Picnic, Funeral Dinners and Catholic Charities. Donna had a deep faith and attended daily Mass with Don.

Donna is survived by her husband of 64 years, Don Bergbower of Effingham; children, Sandy (Fred) Lash of Watson, Jerry (Elaine) Bergbower of Gouverneuer, NY, Fr. Dan Bergbower of Springfield, Raymond Bergbower of Sparta, MO, and Jim (Teresa) Bergbower of Toledo; grandchildren, Kevin (Lara) Lash, Jacky Lash (Paul Evans), Shelley Hensley (Anthony Bennett), David Bergbower, Jeremy Bergbower, and Joshua (Mindy) Hurst; great-grandchildren, Brady, Lelu, Cass, Jude, Logan, MaKenzie, and Hailey; and siblings, Ruth Skousen, Jim Lager, Joan Ley, Dick Lager, and Judy O’Lear.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Dorothy Selby, Bob Lager, Betty Thomas, and Leo Lager.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, a private family graveside service will be held at St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or Sacred Heart School and may be accepted at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, IL 62401. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here