Mary Catherine (Bergman) Winterscheidt passed away in her home on May 16, 2014. She had survived two different types of cancer and a hip replacement before God finally called her home. Mary was born March 15th, 1930 and grew up on the family farm near Baileyville, Kansas. She was the only child of John Burdiek and Elizabeth Enneking. After her father’s death, her mother married Joseph Bergman. Mary was one of 8 Bergman children. After graduation from Baileyville High School, Mary received her undergraduate degree from Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She later received her Master’s Degree in 1994 from Augustana College in Sioux Falls.

Mary was a teacher who spent her life helping others realize their potential and see the joy and God’s beauty in every day. She began her teaching career at Seneca High School as an English teacher and later retired from Axtel Park High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mary continued to substitute teach until the week of her death. She was a life-long learner who enjoyed reading and discussing books. She belonged to numerous book clubs and enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to her love of teaching, Mary was an avid gardener and loved working in her yard. She took particular pride in her poppies and raspberries. She enjoyed having friends and family over to her home to enjoy her backyard and delicious recipes while talking about books and articles she had read and singing the praises of her family and friends.

Mary loved to sew and won a Vogue award for her design while in Seneca. Over the years, Mary made many beautiful outfits as diverse as family Halloween costumes to a wedding dress worn by one of her daughters. Her artistic talents were complimented by her appreciation for the arts. She was always happy to attend an art lecture, visit an art museum or enthusiastically admire a child’s artwork.

Mary also loved her community. She was a Girl Scout leader and Girl Scout Council Member for many years in Seneca as her children were growing up. In Sioux Falls, she was one of the founding members of the “Festival of Cultures” annual weekend and worked tirelessly for many years to promote cultural diversity and awareness in the community. She opened her home to numerous foreign exchange students over the years and sponsored and took under her loving wings refugee children that had resettled in Sioux Falls.

Finally, Mary loved to travel. She loved experiencing new cities and cultures both in the United States and abroad. Mary also loved to visit her children, grandchildren and their extended families. She put many miles on her car traveling to Kansas to visit and accumulated numerous frequent flyer miles from the trips to Phoenix, St. Louis and Missoula, Montana.

Mary is preceded in death by her father and mother, John Burdiek and Elizabeth Enneking Bergman, her brother Chuck, her step-father, Joseph Bergman, and her step-brother Lester Bergman. Mary is survived by her sister, Joan (Bergman) Buser and her brothers Joe, Elmer, Paul and Gus Bergman. Mary was the loving Mother of Laurie Hiler, Rebecca Winterscheidt, Amy Winterscheidt, John Winterscheidt and Sarah Winterscheidt.

She was the beloved Grandmother of Hattie and Hannah Hiler, Rachel, Mark and Katie Werner, Alex and Corrinne Smith, Jennifer Prillman and Agnes Schallenkamp; Mother-in-Law to Robert Werner and Brett Mairose, dear sister, aunt, friend and Angel on earth to Lisa Boyer, Vladimir, Kieko and many others who loved her.

Services:

Funeral immediately followed by the burial is on Saturday, May 31st at 9:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas.

There will be a luncheon at the Church Hall for everyone immediately following the cemetery service. Flowers can be sent to: Lauer Funeral Home 212 S. 4th Street, Seneca, Kansas 66538

Contributions in her memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services (to support Sudanese lost boys) 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3443.

On Monday, June 2nd, we will pray the Rosary for Mary at 1:30 p.m. immediately followed by a 2:00 p.m. Memorial Mass in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3601 E. Dudley Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103.

There will be a celebration of Mary’s life immediately following the Sioux Falls Memorial Mass in Mary’s beloved backyard flower garden at her home.