Ann Bergquist, 81, of Rham e, ND passed away on Saturday, October 30 th at Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND. Funeral services for Ann will be on Monday, November 8 th at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Charles Johnson will off iciate and burial will follow at the Mound Cemetery near Rhame, ND. After the burial friends and family may gather in t he Mound Presbyterian Church . Kresbach & Kulseth Funeral Service of Bowman, ND will be in charge of arrangements.

Ann was born in Bowman September 27, 1940 to Howard and Mary (Atkinson) Corwin. She was the first girl born in the Corwin family in over 100 years so her parents were surprised and delighted when she arrived. Ann was later joined by siblings Dou g las Corwin and Kathleen ( Corwin ) Bergquist. She attended grade school in a one room school house at Harper School in Slope County near her family farm. Sh e rode horse to school from her nearby farm frequently. Her Gr andmother Ethel Atkinson was her teacher at Harper School. When i t was time for High School , Ann a ttended Rhame High School and graduated in 1958.

Ann had an adventurous childhood . She spent many days on horse back along with her brother Doug, sister Kate and the other neighborhood kids which included the Erickson's and Storlie ' s. Her favorite horse Teddy was with her almost half her life.

Ann was introduced to her husband Gene Bergquist by her dear friend Mercine (Heinrich) Mosbrucker. Gene and Ann married August 3, 1958 in the Rhame Lutheran Church. They made their home on Ann's family farm in Slope County. They had two children Wayne and Viola. Ann loved the farming and ranching life and her home on the range. She loved it when people would stop by the house for coffee and cake as she loved to visit with people. She took a genuine interest in others' lives and was a conversationalist extraordinaire. She could visit with anyone about anything and usually ended the visits with a very long North Dakota goodbye. Ann also loved the animals on the farm and ta king care of the cows, horses, chickens, peacocks, and cats.

Ann was the church pianist a t Mound Presby terian church for 54 years and hardly missed a Sunday. Mound was her church home all of her life from birth until she moved into the care center in Hettinger. The Mound Congregation awarded Ann with a plaque for her years of playing piano from age 23-77.

Ann was a kind, loving person and was a caregiver for many family members during their latter days. That included her father-in-law Albin, her husband's grandmother Josephine, her brother-in-law Roger, her grandmother Ethel, her mother Mary, and husband Gene. Her compassion and caring for those in need was inspirational and spoke volumes about her kind and caring heart . It also spoke of her generosity towards all living beings that was a lifelong value in many areas of her life.

She loved being a grandmother to Wayne and Rose 's children Kory, Christopher and Amy and a Great Grandmother to Amy's children. They wer e a real highlight in her life .  S he took an interest in all that they did and was their biggest cheerleader.

She would have loved to be around for her funeral as she never liked to miss a gathering . Mom would have loved to see you folks and talked to each and every one of you and she would definitely be the last one to leave. Wish you could have mad e it mom. We will miss you so much .

Left to cherish her memory are Children Wayne (Rose) Bergquist of Bowman, ND and Viola Bergquist of St. Cloud, MN. Grandchildren Kory Bergquist, Christopher (Teri) Bergquist and Amy (John) Burke.  Great Grandchildren Gabriel, Abigai l, Trinity and Raifiel . Her very special siblings Douglas (Kathy) Corwin a nd Kate (Leonard – Deceased) Bergquist. Ann was preceded in death by her husband Gene and her parents Howard and Mary Corwin.