Sharon Francis Bergman, 81
Sharon Francis Bergman of Polson, lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 19, 2007, at the age of 81. She was born Aug. 13, 1925, in Denver, to Arthur and Cora Wynne. The family homesteaded in Gila Bend, Ariz.; then moved to Polson, where she went to Polson High School, graduating in 1942.
After high school, Sharon relocated to Hollywood, Calif., where she met and married Ray Bergman. She became stepmother to Don and had three children - Susan, Beverly and Keith. Sharon and family returned to Montana in 1960 to a cattle ranch in Hamilton. She was divorced from Ray in 1964 and she went to work for the electric co-op and ran a Laundromat in Corvallis.
Sharon returned to southern California in the early '70s for a few years, then took a position with the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) where she entered a profession that held one of her passions - the sport of bowling. She managed the Rules Department and wrote the rule books that governed women's bowling.
She retired from WTBC as executive assistant in 1988 and moved back to Polson where she stayed involved with bowling - writing a newsletter for the Polson newspaper, coached the junior bowlers, and continued to work in the media room at the national bowling tournaments each spring.
She loved the outdoors, and was active in the Audubon Society, photography and travel.
Sharon remained active in the Polson community, working at the Senior Center until August 2006.
She had a special relationship with all of her children, and was best friend to them all. She touched the hearts of all who knew her.
Sharon is survived by her children, Don Bergman and wife Josie of Hamilton; Susan Mateel of Vancouver, Wash.; Beverly Martinez and husband Carlos of Kalispell; and Keith Bergman of Hamilton; along with 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Polson Senior Center, Polson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.