Gladys Blanche Bergen, 85

Gladys Blanche Bergen, 85, 'completed the course and won the race' on June 30, 2008, passing away at Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born at her parents' homestead in Whitetail on July 31, 1922. She was the youngest child of Vernon and Beulah Potter.

Gladys lived in Whitetail until finishing high school. She then attended Canadian Bible Institute in Regina, Saskatchewan, where she soon met her 'sweetheart,' Irven Bergen. They were married in 1941 in Whitetail, and soon moved to Bremerton, Wash.; while there, she and her husband attended Simpson Bible Institute. They moved back to Whitetail, where they farmed on her father's land. They were called to Belgrade in 1957 to help start the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. They lived and farmed there until moving to Kalispell in 1962.

Music was a huge part of Gladys' life, from a very early age. Singing solos, duets with her sweetie, directing choirs, heading up music ministries in churches and singing on the radio were a few of the ways in which she used the marvelous voice that God had given her. Her family and church family were the most important things in her life following her relationship with Jesus Christ.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Irven; her son, David; her parents; and all of her family.

She is survived by her children, Donn and Kathy Bergen, and Dick and Karla Bergen, all of Salem, Ore., Doreen and Dan Guthner of Amarillo, Texas, and Dottie and Drew Istre of Kalispell; and David's wife, Cheryl, of Bremerton. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

'We will miss her and always rejoice in the life she taught us to live.'

Graveside services for Gladys will be held at 3 p.m. today, July 2, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, with Jim Davey of the Community Alliance Church officiating.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Gladys' family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Gladys' guest book.