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Note: N4835 Rosie Bergo was the fourth child born to Alvina Anderson and Oscar Bergo on November 8, 1913. She was baptized as an infant in the Synod Church near Emmons. She received the education of a farmer's daughter, including confirmation classes at the Synod Church where she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1928.
Growing up in a large family meant many funny delightful stories; Rose, being the younger, worked outside with her parents, while the older sisters stayed in the house doing the cooking. Cooking was a constant chore for a growing family. The meals were major events.The outside chores were done before breakfast began; breakfast consisted of leftovers from the evening meal, steak, ham, pork chops, eggs, potatoes, cereals, toast, jams and jellies plus lots of fresh 5milk and cream.
Living on a farm across the field was the John Forde farm. Selmer Forde and Rose Bergo began a courtship that ended in marriage vows taken in the Synod Church on May 3, 1930. A favorite Bergo story surrounding the marriage was Rose and Sam drove away from the church by horse and buggy eating bananas.
Six children were born to the Forde's. Doris, Beverly, Stanley, Jerry, and Shirley and Ronnie were born while they lived on the John Forde farm. When John Forde died, the farm was sold and the family moved into Northwood, Iowa. Sam went to work for Oscar Culbertson, Plumber, and he also built some houses in Northwood. Rose started working as a housekeeper for Dr. and Mrs. Olson and Glenn Tenold.
In 1959, Sam started to work for Stan Forde on construction. They moved with the Stan Forde family to various locations, finally settling in Elk Horn, Iowa on the Stan Forde farm. In 1982, they moved into a small home in Elk Horn where they remained. They joined the Lutheran Church in Elk Horn.
Rose and Sam were loved by their grandchildren. The Forde grandchildren were fortunate in having their grandparents living on their farm right in the backyard. Both grandparents taught them how to use their hands, how to work, and how to care for animals. Stories abound of adventures at Grandma Rose and Grandpa Sam's house.
For instance, Scott and Jon decided to bake a cake at Grandma's. When she returned, the carpet was covered with flour dust, broken eggs,Crisco on the walls. There were countless times when the children would not do their 'chores,' but the grandparents eyes could see and report it all. How many times did the boys get into the haymow or feed chutes and mess up cattle feed? Poor grandpa had to deal with the fireman when some of the boys tried to get rid of mice in the barn by pouring gasoline down the mouse hole and lighting a match nearly setting the barn on fire. The children have wonderful memories of Grandma Rose playing, "Annie I Over" or Grandpa chasing someone with his cane!
Cynthia says,"I could not have survived raising all of those children if they had not been there. It gave me the freedom to complete my educational goals. It was life at its best being surrounded by an extended family who helped monitor the children. We had a great team effort when it was time to raise a garden. Sam would prepare the soil; I would plant; Rose would weed; I would pick the vegetables; Rose would can them. You cannot beat a system like that. One year we had so many tomatoes that we canned tomatoes every conceivable way... from tomatoes whole to Ketchup."
When the Stan Forde family moved to Texas, life changed for the Selmer Forde's. They moved into the new farm home vacated by Stan and his family. They began to have health problems and moved into the town of Elk Horn. Despite annual visits to Texas to stay winter months, Sam's health deteriorated. Five years later, Sam passed away on February2, 1986. Researching family history, it seems interesting to me that Selmer died on the same day that their son, Jerry, died a few years earlier, February 2, 1965. It was also the same day that his grandmother died.
Rose stayed on in the small house across from the Retirement Home until the winter of 1998 when she moved into an apartment. She continues to pay annual visits to Texas to visit her grandchildren. Rose stayed on in the small house across from the Retirement Home until the winter of 1998 when she moved into an apartment. She continued to pay annual visits to Texas to visit her grandchildren until 2000.
In May of 2001, Rose moved into the nursing home in Elk Horn suffering from complications of diabetes and congestive heart failure. She died in the nursing home on July 16, 2001. Services were held in Elk Horn at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and again in Northwood at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church. She was buried next to Sam on July 20,2001. The following tribute to Rose given at both services by her oldest son, Stan Forde:
MOTHER'S HANDS
by Stan Forde and Edited by Cynthia Forde
Read at the Funeral Service by Stan Forde
Mother! We are here today to put her to rest but most importantly tocelebrate her life. Mother's life was a life of love given so completely to all of us that were blessed to know her and be close to her. Not only did she give love, she received that love deeply in return from us.
Having grown up in the difficult days of the depression in the midst of a large family, we are reminded of the many sacrifices that she made for us. I looked at her old, worn hands; and I thought of all the work they had performed: floors scrubbed, gardens weeded, pickles canned, eggs picked, laundry chores, farm chores, hands that were mighty milking machines, hands that embroidered, sewed, cooked and baked. They were the laboring hands of a farm wife and mother.
Mother's hands were also tender and caring hands. I thought of the many diapers she changed; her hands cuddled babies, tied countless shoes, wiped many a fevered brow. Her folded hands taught us to pray.
We share favorite memories of mother's hands, rolling lefse, a Norwegian treat. Who doesn't smile at the memory of mother taking time to play games with the smallest child? She could toss a fast ball playing 'Annie-I-Over.' She loved to win in a game of cards; she entertained herself with a pencil in hand doing Crossword Puzzles.
Although it is so hard to let her go - we will miss her - she leaves us all with good memories at the care of her hands. Now, her hands are at rest. She was one of God's greatest blessings to us. Mother, grandma, greatgrandma Rose.
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