Rolf O. Bergenn of Huckleberry Lane, West Hurley, a founder, treasurer and elder of the Lliving Word Chapel died Monday, April 28, 2008 at Benedictine Hospital. He was 77.
He was born in Brooklyn on January 13, 1931, a son of the late Olav T. and Valborg E. Ellingsen Bergenn. He moved to this area at age 16 and graduated Kingston High School.
Mr. Bergenn entered the US Marine Corps in 1949. He served in the US Marine Corps Reserves until 1952. On October 5, 1952 he married Marie Gale Jansen.
He began a 37-year career at I.B.M., Poughkeepsie in 1953. For many years he work at Kingston as an engineer. He retired in 1990 and was a member of the Quarter Century Club.
Mr. Bergenn was a former member of the Sons of Norway and served as President from 1962-1963. He was Captain of the Spillway Engine Co. #3 from 1961 - 1976 and served as Treasurer. A member of the West Hurley Rescue Squad from 1961 - 1976, he was an E.M.T.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Marie Gale Jansen Bergenn, two daughters Valerie Carle and her husband Robert A. Carle Jr. of West Hurley and Kari Becker and her husband Richard Becker Jr. of West Hurley; three sons Russell Bergenn and his wife Diana of West Hurley, Paul Bergenn and his wife Darlene of Nashville, NC, and Eric Bergenn and his wife Linda of West Hurley; seventeen grandchildren Kirsten, Jeremy, Joshua, and Jonathan Carle, Christopher, Brandon, Andrew, Amelia, Mikaila, Jacob, Matthew, Melinda, Michael and Timothy Bergenn, Kyle, Austin and Kira Becker; five step grandchildren Naomi, Shannon, John, Kristen and Andrea, 5 step great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and numerous spiritual children.
Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Thursday from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Family and friends will gather at the Living Word Chapel, Route 28A, West Hurley on Friday at 10:30 AM. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM by Pastor Don Moore. Interment will be in Bruynswick Rural Cemetery, Wallkill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Living Word Chapel, 1555 Route 28A, West Hurley, NY 12491.
Two sisters Elizabeth Geil died in 1988 and Gerd M. Bergenn died in 2004.