Ein gutes Herz hat angehort zu schlagen

Mrs. Theresia Bergquist, 88, of Fremont, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Theresia was born in Kisker, Yugoslavia on March 25, 1937. Kisker was a community of residents with German ancestry. During World War II, Theresia’s family became displaced refugees when they were forced to abandon their home and flee to Germany. Theresia was seven years old when she and her family left Kisker with only what they could carry in packs.

Eventually the family settled in Wolfartsweier, West Germany, living in a former military barracks.

Some years later, Theresia met a young soldier by the name of Al Bergquist. She spoke no English and he spoke very little German. Proving that true love will always find a way, the couple was married on January 13, 1959. What followed was a blessed 67 year marriage including three children, ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Theresia worked different jobs in her life but the longest and most notable was as a lab technician at Gerber Products Company; a position that she enjoyed and provided her with many lasting friendships.

As an active member of Fremont United Methodist Church, Theresia often shared her talents of cooking and baking. She especially enjoyed cooking for Wacky Wednesday dinners. Baking was a favored activity in Theresia's life and she frequently shared her treats with her church family and other friends. Her special Baklava and Linzer Tortes were welcome treats to many.

Theresia and Al were accomplished square dancers, dancing with clubs in Fremont and Muskegon. They also enjoyed traveling together, making many trips across the United States and Europe. The Bergquists also served their community as drivers for visually impaired residents throughout Newaygo County.

One of Theresia's favorite hobbies was crocheting, especially ponchos and Barbie dresses for children. Not only did she provide her handmade gifts to her family, she created hundreds of items for children in need. Her gifts were donated locally and were also sent with missionaries to children in foreign countries.

Theresia was known as ‘Oma’, the German word for Grandma, not just to her family, but to many others. Oma loved all children whether she encountered them in the neighborhood, at church or as strangers in the grocery store. She could never resist reaching into her purse to give little gifts to children she met.

Most important to Theresia was always her family. She was a loving, giving, beautiful woman with a big personality and even bigger heart. She will be deeply missed.

Theresia is survived by: her husband Al; children, Michael (Maureen), Sue Ann (Stephen) Hatting, Lynda (Bruce) Havens; grandchildren, Dominic (Meagan) Bergquist, Anna (Dylan) Hennigan, Jakob (Vanessa) Bergquist, Francis Bergquist, Krista (Andy) Stroven, Matthew Tanis, Iain Hatting, Trevor (LJ) Grabill, TJ (Randy) Sadir, Zakariya (Taylor)Sadir; great-grandchildren, Donulus, Jameson, Adeline, and Vivienne Hennigan, Molly Bergquist, David, and Jenna Stroven; sister, Helene Seene and sister-in-law, Roswitha Seene; and many nieces and nephews, both in Germany and the United States.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Magdalena (Heinz) Seene; sister and brother-in-law Elisabeth and Gustav Kindler; brother and sister-in-law, Jakob and Marianne Seene; brother Rheinhold Seene; and niece Angelika Heger.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Fremont United Methodist Church, 351 Butterfield St, Fremont, MI 49412. Visitation will take place 1 hour prior to the start of the service. A luncheon will follow at the church.