Wilfred Francis Bergman, 93, of St. Benedict, Kansas, died on Monday, September 7, 2015 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Wilfred was born July 16, 1922, on the family farm west of St. Benedict, the 8th of 9 children born to Frank Joseph and Bernadine Mary (Hulsing) Bergman.  He attended Cottonwood School and St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from the eighth grade.  After graduation, he helped on the family farm.

In 1939, he moved with his parents to the farm on the southwest edge of St. Benedict, where he lived across the street from St. Mary’s Church for 75 years.  In November 2014, he moved to Crestview Manor, Seneca, Kansas.

On February 7, 1945, Wilfred married Rosella Schmitz at St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, Kansas.  They were married 68 years at the time of Rosella’s death on October 22, 2013.

Wilfred (Bill or Wilfie, as he was known) was a farmer and dairyman, as well as a school bus driver for 40 years.  Some winters, he worked construction.  He was a good neighbor and friend and liked helping others.  He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, Kansas.  In 2015, he was the longest standing member of Knights of Columbus #1769 in Seneca, Kansas.

Wilfred enjoyed many activities.  He especially liked deer and pheasant hunting.  Fishing activities included family picnics and fishing excursions with his sons, sons-in-law and grandsons.  He provided many catfish for fried catfish dinners.   He looked forward to family gatherings and kept up with family activities.  He was an avid KC Royals fan and loved to play cards.  Wilfred liked to travel and he drove his father to Idaho several times to visit Luella Schmidt and her family.

Besides his parents, Wilfred was preceded in death by his wife, Rosella; a son, Loran A. Bergman on August 18, 1979; brothers Raymond, Alfred and Arthur Bergman, and sisters Florena Schmitz, Mary Ann Schmitz, Viola Schmitz and Alma Haug.

He is survived by twelve children:  Karen (Albert) Rottinghaus of Wetmore, Elaine (Wayne) Theel of Emporia, Dennis (Judy) Bergman of Danville, Iowa, Rosalyn (Bill) Neary of Silver Lake, Alice (Frank) Wietharn of Topeka, Stephen (Sheril) Bergman of St. Benedict, Frank Bergman of Seneca, Gary Bergman of Topeka, John (Deb) Bergman of St. Benedict, Brenda (Marion) Haug of Seneca, Mary Bergman of Shawnee and Brian (Amy) Bergman of Sabetha; 33 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Luella Schmidt of Buhl, Idaho. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, September 11, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Rosaries will be prayed on Thursday, September 10th at 2 & 7 PM at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials will be designated later and may be sent to Wilfred Bergman Memorial c/o Lauer Funeral Home, 212 S 4th Street, Seneca, KS 66538.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com