Abel Bergen

Abel Bergen was born in Oregon City on April 20, 1921 to Bernhard and Susanna (Duyck) Bergen.  He went home to heaven on August 7, 2018 at age 97. He was the fifth of eight children and grew up in Dallas, OR, graduating from Dallas High School in 1940.



After high school graduation, Abel joined the Dallas company of the Army National Guard. World War II soon began in Europe and Asia, and President Roosevelt mobilized units of the National Guard into the U.S. Army in 1940. The Dallas company became L Company, 162nd Regiment, 41st Infantry Division. After Pearl Harbor, the 41st was sent to Australia. They arrived in April 1942, some of the first US troops in the Asian theater. After training in Australia, the 41st fought in jungle warfare for nearly two years in New Guinea. They picked up the name “Jungleers” from this extended campaign. More soldiers were casualties to sickness than to enemy bullets, and Abel suffered badly for weeks with malaria.



After victory in New Guinea, the 41st went to fight in the Philippines. Abel had become a Staff Sergeant. Not long after they arrived in the Philippines, he was sent home, having done his duty. He was honorably discharged in July 1945.



For many years, Abel stayed in contact with L Company vets. These reunions were very important for Abel and his family, and they went to yearly picnics in Dallas and nearby areas for many years. As far as we know, Abel was the last surviving WW II veteran from L Company. He attended reunions of the 41st well past his 90th year, and maintained a subscription to their newsletter, The Jungleer.



On December 14, 1946 Abel and Marjorie Day were married in Dallas. On the same day, Abel's brother Landon married Marjorie's sister Janette. Also on the same day, Abel's sister Ruby married her husband, Jim Cook.  None of the three couples attended each others' weddings, but they formed lifelong family ties.  Abel and Marjorie were married for 60 years, and raised their family in Salem, OR.  They had four children: Janis, Patricia, Richard and Michael.



Abel worked for the State of Oregon, first as foreman and then in 1957 he was promoted to superintendent of the heating plant that heated the buildings in the capitol mall.  He held that position  for 27 years, retiring at the age of 63.



Abel enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking (especially Thanksgiving turkey), bowling, swimming,  traveling and serving his Lord.  Abel came to know the Lord in his late 30's after the death of his youngest son Michael who died from pneumonia at 3 ½ years of age.  In their grief, he and Marge sought and were ministered to by pastor Harold Lyman and members of Court Street Christian Church.  In 1959 Abel chose to accept Jesus as his Lord and Saviour for the forgiveness of his sins.  This was very important to Abel and his daily prayers always included thanking God for the forgiveness of sin.  He was active in the Crusader Sunday School class, as an usher and a Deacon. He gave consistently of his time and money to the church. If there was a physical problem, especially related to heating or ventilation, Abel was probably there.



After retiring, Abel and Marge became  “snowbirds” traveling to Yuma, AZ for the winter.  The three couples that were married on the same day spent close to 20 years traveling to Arizona with their motorhomes.  Abel and Marge would leave in October, so the family always had an early Thanksgiving dinner before they left. They would return in April, not long before his birthday on April 20th.



At the age of 86, Abel suffered a stroke that changed the rest of his life here on earth.  Though confined to a wheel chair,  he worked hard to overcome his disabilities.  He required caregivers 24/7.  Even so,  he accepted his situation without complaint.  He lived in his home for most of the time and had a positive impact on his caregivers.  His patient, gentle spirit and thankfulness for those that met his daily needs spoke volumes to his inner peace and trust in God to take care of him.



Abel is survived by his brother Ben of Portland; brother Landon of Salem; daughter Janis (Will) Worrall of Newberg; daughter Patti (Perry) Scholder of Colorado Springs; son Richard (Lorinda) Bergen of Tigard; 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.



Abel was preceded in death by wife, Marjorie, son, Michael, and five brothers and sisters including his youngest sister Pauline just 3 weeks ago.



A funeral service will be held at Restlawn Funeral Home (201 Oak Grove Rd. NW) in Salem, on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 1:30 pm.  Donations can be made to Court Street Christian Church.