BERGMAN
Arthur Wilfred
June 24, 1936 - March 30, 2024
Art Bergman was born in Hanna on June 24,1936 to Art Sr. and Helen (Norlie) Bergman. He grew up on the family farm North of Craigmyle with his parents and two brothers, Allan and Don. He received most of his schooling in a one room school at Lillico before going to school in Craigmyle. Despite leaving formal education at the end of Grade nine, Art’s intelligence shone through in his ability to master complex agricultural calculations with ease.
In his early years, Art supported the family farm and worked as a farm hand for neighbors. He took a job as a shop helper at Fred’s Auto Body in Craigmyle, cleaning floors and taking out trash, where he quickly discovered a love for all things mechanical. He was able to shadow the onsite mechanics and his ability to learn quickly bloomed. Looking for something more permanent, Art worked as a 2nd man at various grain elevators in the area before becoming an agent for the National Grain Company in Craigmyle in 1963.
On March 28,1964, Art married his forever dance partner, Beverly Fleck of Watts. Art and Bev made their home in Craigmyle and welcomed Laurelle Lee (Laurie) in 1966. Life at the little house in Craigmyle was a time of adjustment. Indoor plumbing wasn’t available. Bev had recently quit her steady teaching job and Art wasn’t satisfied being a grain buyer. During this time, Art and Bev grieved the loss of their 2nd child, Aaron Kenneth in 1969. Soon after Art, Bev and Laurie were overjoyed to welcome Corey Arthur in 1970. In 1972, the family of four moved to the farm Southeast of Craigmyle and in 1975, Donna Mae’s arrival completed the family of five.
Always a hard worker, Art supplemented the first few farming years by hauling cattle for local producers, often making multiple trips in and out of Calgary in the same day. Bev remembers Art living on little sleep in those days. He would often roll in at 2:00 am and be gone again by 6:00 am.
Art’s dedication to hard work extended beyond his own farm, as he tirelessly assisted neighbors and friends. He spent countless hours troubleshooting and doing mechanical repairs not only for himself but for friends and neighbors along with fixing appliances, plowing snow from driveways, and tending to the prairie cemeteries. Art’s kindness and expertise were always at the forefront. He led various 4-H projects, chaired many community group meetings, and served 25 years as a director of the East Central Gas Co-op.
Art was often described as a ‘character’. His friendly personality meant that he was known by most people in the area and if he didn’t know them, he made it his mission to find a common connection.
Nature and animals were important to Art. He assisted in the building nests for ferruginous hawks, he stocked his dugout with trout, and he would relocate baby bunnies out of the way of his equipment. The kids remember him bringing them as well as goose eggs home to foster. Art also took delight in seeing wildlife, like moose, in his yard or the countryside.
Art took off his final crop in his 80th year and moved into retirement to pursue his hobbies with gusto. He maintained an active interest in farming innovations. Crop tours and coffee time were regular activities, not to mention the challenge of restoring farm implements. Art has left his love of dancing to country and western music to live on through every member of his family.
Art was pre-deceased by his son Aaron (1969) and his brother Allan (1985).
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Bev, and his loving family Laurie (Jeff) Armstrong, Tim and Kelly; Corey (Kelly) Bergman, Erin and Carson; Donna (Steven) Lang, Gracie and Barrett, his brother Don (Dianne) Bergman, sister-in-law, Heather (Jim) Davidson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
If so desired, donations may be made to Craigmyle Historic Church, Site1, B-3, Box 14, Craigmyle, AB, T0J 0T0.
