Carol Janice (Weeks) Bergsten, 82, departed this life January 9, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She had several health challenges over the past year including cancer and a traumatic brain injury from a fall in October 2019. These took a physical toll on her. Though she fought like a warrior queen, her earthly body was spent. Carol was a doer and is surely offering to help prepare our Heavenly Father’s mansions for what is to come.

In Lawrence, Kansas, they broke the once-used mold after Carol was born on May 10, 1937. Rumor has it they jailed the mold-maker for creating such a phenomenon. Carol graduated from High School in 1955. Within a month she married Harold F. Bergsten, on June 10, 1955. After living in Bartlesville, OK, Topeka, KS, and Lee’s Summit, MO, they settled in Hutchinson, KS where they not only raised their three children, but also opened their home to many people when they needed a place to call home. They moved to Omaha, NE in the mid-1980s, but by 1988 Carol had gotten tired of winters and declared she was moving to Florida. She sincerely hoped Harold would choose to come along, and once he found out he could work for both Disney and NASA, he was delighted to go. Never again having to hear his wife lament about the cold was the cherry on top.

You could sense there would never be a dull moment with Carol around. She had many hobbies and was always discovering new things. Never one to do anything halfway, she was all-in and took to the max any party or project in which she endeavored. The ABC’s of Carol were: Adding bling to everything, Bible study, Craft projects, Decorating, Entertaining guests, Fashion (her way), Gardening, Helping others, Independence, Joking around, Keeping Harold from watching TV, Laughing at herself, Memorable stories, Nonstop activity, Organizing, Playing cards, Quick wit, Repurposing items, Singing, Trading stocks, Unconventional medicine and health options, Victory casino boats, Willful, Xenodochial, Youthful, and Zealousness.

Family who beat Carol to the Pearly Gates were her much loved and missed husband of 62 years Harold, her mother Wilma (Kinnett) Trine for whom she never stopped grieving, her brothers Kenny and Ronnie, and her sister Marian who passed away just shy of 7 weeks before her. Among others, Carol had been planning to see Marian one more time during her farewell tour in Kansas.

Those who heard tales about Carol’s adventures grew to love her as much as those who already knew her. To share her stories and legacies, she leaves behind: children Barry Bergsten (Kim), Bruce Bergsten (Misty), and Sara Bradley (Paul); grandchildren Angie Puffer (Chad), Michael Tatro (Matt), Aimee Farmer (David), Tiffany Bergsten, Alex Bradley, Madison Galvin (Kyle), Candice Bennington, Tobey Foss (Cameron), Kara Bennington, and Macey Bergsten; great grandchildren Linden Puffer, Ava Foss, Turner Tatro, Bennett Puffer; her brother Charles Weeks (Bea); her grand-dogs Lulu, Maggie (aka The Prime Rib Minister Margaret Snatcher), and especially Piper. She also leaves nieces, nephews, step siblings, and step grandchildren and great grandchildren she had yet to meet.

In addition, she dearly loved her Christian family at The Foundry Church, her friends at The Fairways, her bridge groups, and people from all the churches she belonged to along the way. She was surrounded by an amazing circle of folks near and far who loved and supported her. She appreciated the prayers, cards, texts, pictures, and voice messages which helped her feel that she had made a difference in people’s lives. The Bergsten family would like to thank the Florida friends who became extended family and embraced Carol and Harold for over three decades. We know you grieve for them as much as we do.

A celebration to honor Carol’s life is scheduled for 1:00 pm Saturday, January 25, 2020 at The Foundry Church, 1491 E State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Foundry Church in honor of Carol Bergsten. In preparation for the service paying tribute to her life, the family would love to receive your thoughts on Carol’s life and adventures, sent to cahab2200@gmail.com.