Tribute

Isaac (Ike) Bergen, 84, of Abbotsford, B.C., passed away on August 14, 2023, from cancer, a recurrence of lymphoma for which he had been treated 4 years previously.  Ike was born in Rabbit Lake, SK, near the middle of a group of 8 siblings. As a young man of 10 years old, he developed pleurisy and it was expected that he would die from the illness.  While ill, Ike recalls experiencing a vision where God told him that he would not die as the work God had sent him to do on earth was not complete. Ike promised to give his life in service of God’s mission and to the church.

After high school, among a variety of jobs (painting grain elevators, driving instructor, etc.), Ike entered teacher’s college. Upon graduation, he began his teaching career in Laird, SK. It was at this time of his life that he was asked to stop in Hepburn to give a ride to a young woman who was studying at Bethany Bible Institute and wanted to go home to Saskatoon for the weekend. This was the start of a 61 year relationship with Shirley Andres. They were married just over a year after meeting each other and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past July.

After marriage Ike and Shirley moved to Winnipeg where Ike began his seminary studies.  Following seminary, Ike began his pastoral ministry which took him to Swift Current, SK, and Dartmouth, NS. Along the way, Ike and Shirley welcomed two sons to the world, Andrew and James. After three years in Dartmouth, Ike was invited to begin his Bible teaching career at Bethany Bible Institute. He eventually became the President.  After many years at Bethany, Ike accepted roles with the Mennonite Brethren Conference in Winnipeg, MB. After several years in Winnipeg, Ike realized his childhood dream when he and Shirley moved to British Columbia where he completed his professional career as the Conference Minister for the province. He also served on the MB Missions Board and during these years, Ike and Shirley engaged in many trips around the world to encourage and provide pastoral ministry to church planters and missionaries in a variety of countries.  Following retirement, Ike, along with Shirley, continued to be involved in church ministry in a variety of ways including involvement in a College and Career group, seniors ministry, part-time pastoring in the congregation, mentoring young church leaders, and singing in a trio at services, funerals and special occasions.

Ike loved his family dearly and was intensely proud of his four grandchildren – Natasha, Audrey, CJ, and Carly. He always had a quick comeback and enjoyed teasing others – and equally enjoyed being teased back. He was very fond of baseball (and all sports in general), often texting with his children while watching the games on TV. He was very engaged in taking care of his physical health, ate well, and exercised almost daily. He ran several half- marathons in his 60’s and 70’s.

Ike is survived by his wife Shirley; son Andrew and his children Natasha, Mallory and Josh, Mitchel and Rachel, three great-grandchildren Jonah, Asher and Hannah; son James and Marcy and their children Audrey, CJ and Carly; brother Henry and sisters Aggie and Kaye.  Ike is predeceased by parents Isaac and Mary; step-mother Elizabeth; daughter-in-law Karen; brothers Dave, John and Ben; sisters Annie and Lena.