Alice Bergdahl was born on March 16, 1919 in Huntington, New York, died July 14, 2010 in Reno. She attended schools in Huntington, NY and Community College in San Leandro, CA. Alice worked in the medical field for many years in Huntington, NY and later as an Accredited Record Technician in the Alameda County Health Department and Highland Central Hospital in Oakland, CA. Alice married Ed Bergdahl in 1939, and they had two daughters, Carroll Ann and Christine Alice. In 1955, Bergdahl Associates was formed, a family business, where she served 55 years as Secretary-Treasurer. Alice was actively involved in her earlier life in Sunday Schools of Central Presbyterian Church in NY and Neighborhood Church in CA. After moving to Reno, she became an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Reno and an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu. She also participated in the Emblem Club of the Elks W616 Lodge in Honolulu.
Upon moving permanently to Reno in the 1970’s, both Alice and Ed enjoyed living in their home located right along the Truckee River and the “down to earth” lifestyle they had as Nevadans in this community. Even though they traveled a lot they always loved to come back to their home in Reno. Even in these last years of Alice’s life she and her family made great effort to have her be independent and remain in her home, which she was able to do.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents Anna and Julius Dreusike, a brother, Julius Dreusike, Jr., and by her husband of 66 years, Ed Bergdahl. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Carroll Ann Bergdahl of San Jose, California and Christine Alice May (Parky) of Verdi, Nevada and her sister, Dorothy Wilcox, of Tallahassee, Florida. Both Alice and Ed are also survived by their family business, Bergdahl Associates located in Reno.
At the time of her husband’s death, Alice established a scholarship fund at Fuller Theological Seminary in memory of Ed Bergdahl. These scholarships have been a resource for the education and training of new pastors and Christian scholars at Fuller.
Alice believed “The Lord has been the strength of my life”. To all of her family, friends and many acquaintances, she would encourage and challenge you to live a Christ-centered life as she did while her on Earth and know that “God has given us eternal life” and we will be together again with Him in Heaven.
A Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 11:00AM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6695 Mae Anne Ave., Reno, NV 89523 (phone: 746-8118). Alice will be greatly missed by her family, friends and her community, all of which she so lovingly and generously gave her life to for over 91 years.
For those wishing to make a contribution in honor of Alice Bergdahl, donations may be sent to:
The Edwin O. Bergdahl Scholarship Fund, Fuller Theological Seminary, c/o Office of Development, 135 N. Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91182, or to the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Reno, or to a charity of donor’s choice.