MADISON - In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 19, 2024, Thelma Bergum Hurd, age 101, passed away peacefully and without illness in her sleep. She was only 38 days from turning 102. A woman of deep faith, Thelma looked forward to waking up in heaven and a wonderful reunion with the family she loved. She lived a full and meaningful life and made friends wherever she went and showed kindness and caring all of her life.

Thelma was the 11th of 12 children, born to Peter and Emma (Reque) Hermanson, in Hampden Township in Rio, on November 26, 1922. She grew up in a very lively household as the seventh daughter. Everyone worked hard on the farm and their lives were rooted in a Norwegian-Lutheran Community, spending a lot of time at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church. Her young life was struck by tragedy when her older brother died of drowning in 1927. A year later their house burned down but all survived and were supported by a loving community of neighbors and family who rebuilt the house.

Thelma graduated from Rio High School in 1940, participating in the band and being the “drum major.” Music was a great part of her life as she also sang in the church choir well into her 80s.

After graduation she attended UW-Whitewater for a semester, but with World War II beginning she took a government job in the selective service in Madison. She lived in a boarding house with her sister, Sara Ann, and two other young women who became lifelong friends.

When her mother became ill, she went back home in 1943 to care for her. Her brother, Harold, invited her along on a double date with Gene Bergum and six months later, on December 26, 1943, they were married at Spring Prairie Lutheran Church. They farmed three miles from her home and raised three boys. Their lives were filled with church, community, school, 4-H and sports attendance to watch their sons in high school, college and even pro-football (Bob) and UW Crew (Steve). Watching sports became a lifelong passion and watching the Packers, Badgers, Brewers and grandchildren’s sports filled many evenings and weekends.

In addition to farm wife and mother, Thelma held several part-time jobs and ultimately retired in 1976. She served as secretary of Columbia County Unified Services Board, Columbus School Board, Hospital Board, and on church council, but church and church committee activities were the biggest part of her life. Thelma was a volunteer all her life, not just helping in church, but serving Meals-on-Wheels, visiting people confined to their home or in assisted living, running errands, helping at Columbia County ADRC, working at the food pantry and generally anything needed to help others.

Thelma and Gene participated in Friends of Foreign Students Organization, hosting foreign students on holidays. Two of the students, Irene and Pak-sing became close friends and were married in their home. Thelma and Gene visited them in Hong Kong.

Gene Bergum died of cancer after 39 years of marriage. Thelma was heartbroken but dealt with it by keeping busy with church activities, community activities and fun travel with wonderful friends. Another chapter began when she connected with classmate, Russell Hurd, of Portage after his wife passed away. They were married on July 19, 1986, at Faith Lutheran Church. They moved to Portage and were married for 28 years before he died.

Thelma is survived by her sons, Steven (late, Pam) Bergum, Robert (Cheryl “Sherry” ) Bergum and Paul (Barbara) Bergum; ; stepsons, Neal Hurd and Norman (Pam) Hurd; stepdaughter, Nancy McConochie- Zuelke; grandchildren, Mark (Alison) Bergum, Janna Bergum, Laurie Bergum, Eric Bergum ( Haley Morrison) and Marissa (Adam) Aeschlimann; step-grandchildren, Leslie, Joan, Betsy (John), Louis (Ana) Hurd, Kevin Hurd, and Jayne Hurd; great-grandchildren, Simon and Rona Bergum; Simona, Emilia, Anaka and Aniceto Navarro; and Flynn, Bram, Jay and Ryker Aeschlimann; step-great-grandchildren, Josh, Jackson, Maya, Lenin, Reya, Ada, Alice and Andrew; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Emma; first husband, Eugene Bergum (1982); second husband, Russell Hurd (2015); sisters, Gerda (Joe) Michelson, Carol (Oscar) Harvey, Elsa (Art) Hamre, Gladys Hermanson (infant), Sara Ann (Ray) Selje and Alice (Austin) Osterhaus; brothers, Selmar Hermanson (teenager); Otto (Gladys) Hermanson, Harold (Gertrude) Hermanson, Everett (Maxine) Hermanson and Eugene (Ruth) Hermanson; grandson, Ben Bergum (2000); daughter-in-law, Pam Bergum (2021); sisters-in-law, Eleanor Cosgrove Larson and Beverly Evenson; and brother-in-law, Phillip Hurd.

A funeral service will be held at SPRING PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH, N509 County Road C, DeForest, at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 28, 2024, with Pastors Rick Bursh and Bob Moberg presiding. Burial will take place at Spring Prairie Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus, Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, Oakwood Foundation or the food pantry of your choice.

A special thank you to all Oakwood Prairie Ridge staff for their wonderful care of mother and the UW Primary Care At Home, especially Dr. Wang and Physician Assistant, Breah Klemp

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Thelma J. Hurd

November 26, 1922 - October 19, 2024

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