Gary Alan Bergman

MISSOULA ~ Gary Alan Bergman, was born in the old Saint Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana on a cold, but snowless day on Tuesday April 29, 1947. He passed away peacefully at home in Conroe, Texas after two failed brain surgeries, on Friday March 8, 2024. He was the only child of Gordon and Ruth Bergman and loved, and was much loved, by his grandparents Thomas and Allie Bergman, who left an indelible mark upon him. 

 

His life's adventures included touring Europe in a "bread truck", geological surveying in the mountainous wilderness of Alaska, 7 seasons of being a Naturalist Guide in Glacier National Park, being a member of the High String Mountain Bluegrass Band in Mount Shasta, California and the many events he enjoyed with his wife and children: "Fiddle Kids", soccer, orchestra, trips to Washington D.C. and Houston, school concerts, and walking his dogs. 

 

He converted to Catholicism shortly after marrying Teresa, and developed a love for Our Blessed Mother, Mary, speaking affectionately of her while in the hospital, in Conroe, Texas, shortly before his death. 

 

He was a kind, gentle, quiet, and unpretentious man, who, in his simplicity, loved God, forgave all, and moved through life smoothly like water in a spring brook. He loved nature and was outside at every opportunity. It was his wish to be brought back to his mountains in Missoula, where he now rests near his grandparents. 

 

He resided in Conroe, Texas for the past 10 years, and died at the age of 76 after a heroic struggle leaving behind his wife of 26 years, Teresa, his step-sister Carla Pavlova, daughters Kiova Staley (Matthew Staley) Barbara Porter (John Porter) Heather Kiefer (Evan Kiefer), and Collette Johnson; as well as 3 step-children Sandra Schell Holland (Michael Holland), Dennis Schell (Dinelle Schell), and Angela Schell, and 7 grandchildren: Mikayla, Taven, Gabriel Asherporter, Bryna, Aiden, Gabriel, and Killian. 

 

He struggled throughout his life to verbalize his feelings and his love for those he held dear, but love them all he did. No words can convey how he will be missed. 

 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 

His funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2024 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Missoula.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula.

 

Local arrangements are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Missoula.