Bergstrom, Marilyn

Marilyn Bergstrom, 82, of St. Augustine, Fla., and formerly of Cedar Rapids, died at her home on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009.

She was born Marilyn Lorraine Houser, Nov. 4, 1927, in Coburg, Iowa, to Tom and Ellen Houser who preceded her in death. She grew up in Lake Charles, La., and graduated summa cum laude from McNeese State College in 1946. She married Robert (Bob) Bergstrom of Sulphur, La., on June 30, 1947. She lived for more than thirty years in Cedar Rapids before retiring back to Lake Charles.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the mortuary. The Rev. James Balke will conduct the funeral service at Craig Funeral Home, St. Augustine, Fla., on Monday at 2 p.m. Internment will be at Evergreen Cemetery following the service.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years; daughters, Patricia Bergstrom, Marion, Carol Webb and Kathryn Bergstrom, Cedar Rapids; son, Robert Jr. (Bob) and his wife Debra, St. Augustine, Fla.; two granddaughters, Amy Koester, Overland Park, Kan., and Sarah (Matt) Melvin, Cedar Rapids; two grandsons, Eric and Michael Bergstrom, St. Augustine, Fla.; and three great-grandchildren, Ella Koester and Tristan and Jonathan Melvin; sister-in-law, Martha Jane Pritt of Tennessee; brother-in-law, Glen Elkins of Utah; and many nieces and nephews.

Her greatest accomplishments were of loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a wonderfully witty lady, always a gracious hostess and an excellent cook. She enjoyed travel adventures, reading and writing and shopping.

Marilyn's family wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Community Hospice. They facilitated her wish to remain at home with her family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Community Hospice of NE Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Building 100, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halsted St., Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60642.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements.