Estelle Bergsbaken Martin

Age 90, passed away Friday, July 4, 2003 at Franciscan Care and Rehab Center. Estelle was born February 9, 1913 in Appleton, daughter of the late Fred and Hulda (Gresenz) Piette. On February 8, 1934 she married Gordon Bergsbaken in Appleton. He preceded her in death on February 7, 1966. On May 25, 1974, Estelle married John Martin in Appleton. John preceded her in death on January 6, 1996.

Mom loved her flowers – she was a great gardener. In addition to tending to her beautiful garden, she enjoyed almost any kind of card games, Yahtzee, as well as dancing as long as her health permitted. She loved music and singing, and was a former member of the Fox Valley Sweet Adeline’s Chorus. Over the years, Estelle worked as a retail clerk at several area stores, including Schlaefer’s Hardware, Prange Way, and retired from W.T. Grant Company.

Estelle is survived by three daughters: Sandra (Cameron) McCain of Green Bay and their children; Karla McCain of Minneapolis, Martin McCain of Missoula, Montana, and Molly McCain of Green Bay.

Dena (Donald) Douglas of Sun City West, Arizona and their children: Brad (Cathy) Douglas of Kaukauna, Julie (Shawn) Pederson of Appleton, and Stacey (Jeff) Bauer of Greenville.

Suzanne (Donald) Arent of Appleton and their three children: Kari (Joe) Mor of Appleton, Mike (Tammy) Greunke of Appleton, and Rick (Lisa) Arent of Appleton; and Don’s three children: Scott (Becky) Arent of New London, Steve (Wendy) Arent of Appleton, and Tim Arent of Appleton.

Estelle is further survived by sixteen great-grandchildren, a sister: Carol Rusch of Appleton; a sister-in-law: Ory Piette of Appleton; as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, four brothers: Lester (Adeline) Piette, Alfred (Victorine) Piette, Dan Piette, and Roy Piette in his infancy; three sisters: Ruth (Clarence) Zoelk, Alice (Loren) Wheeler, and Jane (Ken) Schmidt; a brother-in-law Norbert Rusch; and a grandson Douglas McCain.

Funeral services for Estelle will be held at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 912 N. Oneida Street in Appleton with Rev. Larry Matthews officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call directly at the church on Tuesday from 3:00 PM until the hour of the service.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Franciscan Care Center as well as to the hospice nurses from Fond du Lac. She always referred to you as her “special angels.” You all did such a wonderful job of caring for her over the past several months. She could have been in no better hands. Thank you all so very much.

“Because He lives, you shall also live”.

-John 14:19

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
920-739-1231