Dorothy Bergstrom

Dorothy Bergstrom passed from this life on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, and peacefully joined her husband and other family with Our Lord Jesus, after an extended illness. She was born December 21, 1918 to Harvey and Ruby Bishop Humphrey in Burns, Wyoming.

Per Dorothys wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation or service at this time. A memorial service make take place at a later date.

She attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie and received her teaching certificate. Dorothy taught in rural schoolhouses in Nebraska and Wyoming for many years prior to and after World War II. She loved teaching and life with the many farm and ranch families of her students. From an early age she loved horses and her fondest memories are of the pony that her father brought her and
the many pictures of her on horseback.

Dorothy married Leon Bergstrom on October 9, 1942 in Olympia, Wash. and followed him across the country while he served in the Army and also during his career in the oil business, including a twoyear stay in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Each move brought a new adventure and many new friends all over the country and Canada. They were married for 56 years. Leon and Dorothy moved to Artesia in August of 1973 and Dorothy went to work for Yates Petroleum in the land department. She retired from Yates in 1986 so she and Leon could travel together in their RV and attend family reunions and the RV trips with the Good Sams. She loved planting flowers every spring and tending them despite the desert heat throughout the summer. She enjoyed her home and it was a blessing that she was able to stay there.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Artesia and a 58year member of the Order of Eastern Star. Dorothy was an active member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and a longtime member of the Rebekah Lodge when they had active chapters in Artesia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leon Bergstrom on June 27, 1999 and son, Michael Lynn Bergstrom on June 1, 1949. She was also preceded in death by brothers Del Humphrey, Kent Humphrey and Melvin Humphrey and by sisters Leona Silva, Patricia Plambeck, Mary Close, and Norma Fricke.

Survivors include children Larry Bergstrom and wife Christine of Cumming, Ga. and Linda Pastorello and husband Tony of Carlsbad, N.M. grandchildren Tracy Markowski and husband Paul of Atlanta, Ga., Rachel Devereau and husband Jeff of Maple Grove, Minn., Jason Cirio and wife Heather of Artesia, and Dru Cirio and Casey Cirio both of San Diego, Calif. and greatgrandchildren Griffin and Nathan Markowski of Atlanta, GA, Madison and Ashley Devereau of Maple Grove, MN, and Hayden Cirio of Artesia.

Dorothy is also survived by brothers Bill Humphrey and wife Carol of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Gary Humphrey and wife Irene of Burns, Wyo., and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank her caregivers Ida Palma, Virgie Alvarez, Carolyn Culpepper, Sylvia Palma, J J Home Care, and Vista Care Hospice. Especially Vista Care nurses Rose Page and Pauline Hickey for their love and care during this time.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Vista Care Hospice.