Obituary of Frances Bergstresser

Frances Annie Hoffman was born to William and Julianna (nee Janke) Hoffman in Pleasant Valley, Manitoba on June 4, 1914. She was the "baby" of the family, having eleven brothers and sisters. Frances spent her early childhood in two separate locations, Pleasant Valley and Balsam Bay where William Hoffman pursued his lumber and mill business during the winters. When Frances was five years old, the family moved to Sewell, farming two sections of homesteaded land. The family lived in a house-barn combination typical of the period. On January 1, 1921, their home burned to the ground along with all the lumber for their new home! Shortly thereafter, scarlet fever and diphtheria claimed the lives of 17 year old brother Willie and 14 year old Alex. During that time, Frances herself became seriously ill with scarlet fever. Frances attended school at De Wet and St. Peter's where her older sister, Ida, was teaching. Tragedy once again struck when Frances was 16 years old. While experiencing a recurring bout with asthma, her mother was sent to hospital in Winnipeg, where she passed away. Frances was devastated by the unexpected loss of her saintly mother. In 1934 the Robert Bergstresser family arrived in Morris. Their eldest son, Paul, met Frances and they were married on November 14, 1942. Three children arrived - Lorn, Vaughn and Lynn. Frances was a wonderful source of help and encouragement to her husband and family. Retiring from the family farm, they built a house in Morris in 1975. They moved within Morris several times during the next years, making their final earthly home in the Red River Valley Lodge in 2009. They thrived under the loving care provided by the nurturing staff. Frances' creativity with painting and poetry continued. Paul's passing in 2013 left a huge void; nevertheless, Frances remained positive and upbeat, delighting in the visits of family and friends. Frances remained vital until a week before her death. She had been praying that the Lord would take her home. Surrounded by her family, she slipped peacefully into eternity to join her Savior and be reunited with her beloved Paul. Frances is survived by her children, their spouses and families: Lorn (Laura), Vaughn (Marlene), Lynn (Ernie Brauer); grandchildren Landon, Mark (Christina), Erin (Brent Schroeder) and Kari (Clinton Schneider); great-grandchildren Levi, Kaelin, Rosalie and Silas. The funeral service for Frances will take place Friday, February 12, 2016 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Morris, Manitoba at 2:00pm. Viewing will take place at Morris Funeral Home on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. A Private family interment will take place in the Morris Cemetery. Donations in memory of Frances may be made to: Emmanuel Baptist Church, designating funds for Youth Ministries