Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272129
Title: Dorothy A. Bergem
Date: 7/7/1933-1/4/2026
Inscription/Marks: 7/7/1933
Summary: Dorothy Ann Bergem passed away on January 4, 2026. Funeral services were held April 17, 2026, at the First Lutheran Church in Watford City, ND, with Minister Matthew Rolfson officiating. She was laid to rest at the Farland Cemetery in Arnegard, ND.
Dorothy Ann Furstad was born on July 7, 1933, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Jens and Julia (Iverson) Furstad. Dorothy and her two younger sisters, Helen and Janice, were raised on a farm north of Arnegard in the Bull Flat community.
The Furstad family were active members of the Timber Creek Lutheran Church in rural Arnegard and later at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard. At a young age, Dorothy put her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She trusted God to lead and guide her throughout her lifetime.
Dorothy’s parents were committed to providing their daughters with a good education. This effort included traveling four miles over muddy, slippery, and snow-drifted roads to get to the rural Timmreck school. Later, as no bus service was available for rural students, they arranged living situations that allowed Dorothy to continue her education. She attended 8th and 9th grades in Watford City. Dorothy transferred to Williston High School for the remainder of her high school years, graduating in 1951.
Dorothy’s parents felt her education shouldn’t end with a high school diploma, so in the fall of 1951, she began attending Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. At Concordia, Dorothy formed deep and lasting friendships. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology in 1955. Dorothy accepted a position as a parish worker at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell, MT. After a year there, she worked for three years at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN.
Dorothy returned to Concordia College and completed courses to earn her teacher’s certificate. Her teaching career began in Edmunds, WA, where she taught 3rd grade for two years. Her next teaching position led her to Great Falls, MT, where she taught 3rd grade for the next six years. In 1968, Dorothy moved closer to home when she accepted a teaching position in Williston and taught 3rd and 4th grade for two years. Dorothy concluded her full-time teaching career in Arnegard where she taught 2nd grade from 1971-1972.
Dorothy’s return to North Dakota wasn’t strictly career driven. While home for Christmas vacation, Dorothy met Paul Bergem, an Arnegard farmer and rancher, on New Year’s Eve 1966. Dorothy returned to Great Falls, but didn’t forget the gentle and witty, Paul. When she returned to Williston, their romance flourished and led to marriage on June 26, 1971, at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard.
Dorothy paused her teaching career as she prepared for the birth of their first daughter, Jennifer, born in 1973. Two more daughters would be added to the family with Lori born in 1974 and Paula in 1976. Dorothy selflessly dedicated herself to her roles as a wife and mother. She ensured their home was a loving and nurturing haven. As she raised her daughters, she also cared for her aging parents, mother-in-law, and later her sister-in-law. When her daughters were in school, Dorothy also returned to school as a substitute teacher. She subbed for many years in Mandaree, Alexander, Grassy Butte, Johnson Corners, and Watford City Elementary.
Dorothy was an active member of Farland Lutheran Church and their Ladies Aid group. She treasured the friendships formed through the Farland church. Later, the family became members of First Lutheran Church in Watford City. Dorothy was active in Bible studies and WELCA. Dorothy also enjoyed membership in Sons of Norway, the Arnegard Lioness Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Homemakers Club.
When asked what she considered her greatest accomplishments, without hesitation she listed her marriage and motherhood. She was thrilled when she eventually became a grandmother to seven precious grandchildren. Holidays and summer visits at the farm are treasured memories.
In 2016, Paul’s declining health necessitated a move to Fargo to be closer to family. Throughout her life, Dorothy felt every move had been a move upward. She embraced this move with hopeful expectations. She enjoyed her apartment, new friends, and various activities at Eventide Senior Living in Fargo. Looking back over her life, Dorothy reflected, “The good Lord has been watching over me all my life. There’s been a divine plan.” On January 4, 2026, her Lord and Savior welcomed her to her eternal home in heaven.
Dorothy is survived by daughters Jennifer (Blair) Thoreson and their sons, Christian and Benjamin of Fargo, ND; Lori (David) Kosmatka and their daughters, Sophie and Aubrey of Devils Lake, ND; Paula (Michael) LeClair and their children, Maia, Hudson, and Louis of Maple Grove, MN; her sisters, Helen (Vernon) Grimes of Minnetonka, MN, and Janice Ryan of Pepin, WI, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; mother-in-law, Marie Bergem; sister-in-law, Lillian Bergem; and brother-in-law, Michael R
Red ID: FND_I_79621 Image ID: 557023 Image Notes: FND001 272129
