Elva J. Bergseid

Elva Bergseid, 85, of Rollag, MN, died peacefully Sunday June 13, 2021

Elva was born to Lewis O. and Anna J. (Lotten) Anderson on September 28, 1935, in Long Prairie, Minnesota.  Elva grew up on the family farm in rural Todd County, where she attended country school, (District 29) through the 8th grade.  She spent three years in Osakis High School.  The family moved to Fargo and Elva graduated from Fargo Central High in 1953.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in 1957, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Elva worked as a waitress and various office jobs during her high school and college years.  Elva received a teaching assistantship from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion.  In 1958 she earned a master’s degree in history and political science.

On September 29, 1958, she married John Bergseid near Rollag.  She was an instructor in the history department of Concordia College for several years, and for 30 years, a technical assistant – part time faculty.

Elva was a member of the Rollag Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school and was active in the Rollag Ladies Aid, Esther circle.  She was a piano accompanist for the choir, soloists and musical groups.  For 26 years she was the organist at Rollag Lutheran Church. She had a passion for gardening, cooking, sewing, history and music.

Husband John passed away in October 2011.  Elva continued to live on the family farm home near Rollag.  Elva was preceded in death by her husband, parents and infant twin brother, sister and brother-in-law, Meta and Don Lahren, granddaughter Dorie Rothberg, and son-in-law, James Rick (Julie).

She is survived by her daughter Julie Rick, Fargo, ND, sons Lowell Bergseid (Brenda), and John Christian Bergseid (Heather), of Rollag, MN, grandson Eric Rothberg, Barnesville, MN, brother Kleve Anderson (Lorilee), Denton, TX, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 20, from 5 – 7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m., in Rollag Lutheran Church, Rollag, MN.

Funeral will be Monday, June 21, at 11:00 a.m., in Rollag Lutheran Church, Rollag, MN.

Interment will follow at Rollag Lutheran Church Cemetery.