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Phyllis Ruth (Claassen) Bergman, 95, passed away Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, at Vineyard Hills Convalescent Center, where she received excellent and loving care from the center''s staff. Her transition was peaceful, after many farewell visits with family and friends over the preceding several days. Phyllis was born in January 1918 to Bernhard (Ben) and Margaretha (Jantzen) Claassen at home in Willow Creek, west of Paso Robles. Dr. A.H. Wilmar attended the home delivery. Her birth was later followed by those of four younger brothers: Albert, Ralph (deceased), Wesley and Lowell Her education began at the Summit one-room school near the intersection of Peachy Canyon and Willow Creek Road where, during her second grade, she simultaneously completed all of her third grade work, which advanced her to the fourth grade, a full year ahead of her peers. Phyllis graduated from Paso Robles High School as one of three valedictorians in 1935. She then attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., for two years of undergraduate study. As she was totally fluent in German, she earned her way by translating old German script into conversational written German for 15 cents an hour. She then transferred to UCLA and graduated in 1940 with a lifetime teaching certificate. Her teaching career began in 1941-42 at Pismo Beach Elementary School in San Luis Obispo County. On September 18, 1942, Phyllis married Louis Bergman (deceased, 2001) and moved to his ranch in Dover Canyon, west of Templeton/Paso Robles, a very remote place where electricity did not arrive until 1949. The Bergmans worked hard on the land and raised cattle, ran a dairy concern and dry-land farmed grain. Phyllis contributed greatly to the productivity of the ranch and farm and lent a hand with processing livestock, managing the orchard and canning its produce, as well as helping with the dairy and egg production. In 1943, their eldest son, Eugene Raymond Bergman (Alyson) was born, followed in 1947 by a sister, Kathleen Virginia Bergman (John) and in 1951 by Robert Bruce Bergman (Petra). Phyllis was the proud grandmother of six grandchildren: Vanessa, Jennifer, Karen, Jill, Sara, and Cynthia, and great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren. A very important part of her life took place through her membership in the Willow Creek Mennonite Church. She taught Sunday school, played the piano and directed the church choir. Phyllis was a devoted Bible scholar, whose faith was based upon living according to "The Golden Rule." She did her very best to live by Christian principles in her every endeavor. In 1954, she started to teach elementary, junior high and high school classes first in Atascadero and then Templeton until 1971. During this time, she twice arranged to escort student study groups on tours of Germany during summer break. Many of her students, while remembering her as a fairly strict teacher, credit her with keeping the classroom atmosphere conducive to real learning. One of her most abiding interests was family history and genealogy. Phyllis could count over 100 first cousins with a multitude of complex relational connections in the northern San Luis County area. If there were ever a question as to who was related to whom and how, Phyllis would know the answer. In her later years, Phyllis became proficient in the use of her computer. She was also active in the Adelaide Farm Bureau, Rural Health Committee and Cattle Women''s Association. Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at the Willow Creek Mennonite Cemetery, intersection of Vineyard and Dover Canyon Roads. A memorial service will follow at 11:15 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church, 2343 Park St. in Paso Robles, with a luncheon reception for family and friends to follow. Kuehl-Nicolay 238-4383 Paso Robles
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I was honored to have Mrs. Bergman for my 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, German teacher in 7th and 8th grades.. plus 3 years of German while in high school. I was also a member of her 2nd class trip to Germany... what fun memories!
An incredible woman, great teacher, and a lot of wonderful memories.
My condolences to the family.
Lynn Miller
March 23, 2013
Kind, warm-hearted, sweet, gentle, firm, loving...just some of the many wonderful qualities she possessed. Thank-you for sharing her with me and my family so many years ago. We are truly blessed to have been part of her life. What a wonderful Mother God gave to all of you. She was loved by so many and will be greatly missed. The impact she has made on so many will have her live on forever in the hearts of so many. She was the epitome of a role model. May God give all of you a special portion of His Love and Mercy at this most difficult time.
Bob and Arlene Lown
February 23, 2013
Aunt Phyllis was a wonderful person who loved to tell our children stories of her life as well as our lives growing up on Vineyard drive. We will miss her.
February 22, 2013
Gene, Kathy and Bob and families
Your Mom was my 8th grade teacher (1957-58) and was much loved by our class. She was not only a fantastic teacher who inspired us by example, but really loved teaching. She was strict, loving, fair and above all multi-talented. She read us Laura Ingalls Wilder books with the dramatic flair of an accomplished actor, leaving us begging for "just one more chapter". Quite a feat for getting a class of 13-14 year olds to sit in rapt attention listening to someone reading them a story!
When I became a teacher many years later, I patterned my teaching technique after your Mom's style.
When I returned to this area I had the chance to visit your Mom over the years and I feel so lucky to have been able to stay in touch. She will be sorely missed but she has left all who loved her with life-long memories.
Betty Renton Miller
Betty Miller
February 21, 2013
Bob & Petra - our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God Bless you during this difficult time.
Chris & Michael Ritter
February 21, 2013
I am honored to have met Phyllis three years ago while doing my dog therapy visits at Vineyard Hills. I truly enjoyed my weekly visits with her and will miss her so very much. She was such a joy to be around. My condolences go out to her family.
Donna Cappel
February 21, 2013
Our condolences to the family from Rod Walker (father-in-law of Phyllis' granddaughter Jennifer Walker) and June Riggio.
February 21, 2013
My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to the family. I know how much they loved Mrs. Bergman. Laurie Ion
February 21, 2013
R.I.P.mrs.Burgman.My sympathy to the family.
Kathleen [ Kathy Iliff ] Bailey
February 21, 2013
Frau Bergmann, es gibt keine Worte, um meine Gefühle auf Ihren Körper Tod auszudrücken. Danke für die Hunderte von Stunden verbrachten wir besuchen, wie Sie in den Altenheimen waren. Vielen Dank für alles, was Sie mich gelehrt, in der Schule - vor allem für den Unterricht mir Deutsch, "unser" Mennonite Abstammung und stellte mich Laura I. Wilder. Auch ich danke Ihnen für die große Ehre, uns zu erlauben, Dutzen. Ich danke Gott jeden Tag, dass er dich in meinen Leben. Gottes Segen für Ihr nächstes Abenteuer. Ich sende euch liebe. "Gott ist die Liebe ...."
Jim Holloway
February 21, 2013
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