Thelma Hein Bergkamp Ast

thelma ast

February 1, 1928 ~ July 2, 2023

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Thelma Hein Bergkamp Ast passed peacefully at the age of 95 on July 2, 2023, at Memory Haven, Goddard. KS. Rosary will be at 10:00 AM, Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 3, 2023 at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church with burial at Parish cemetery.Thelma was born on February 1, 1928 in rural St Mark’s, KS to her parents Aloysius and Emma (Lies) Hein. The oldest of 7 children, she attended St Mark Elementary School and Andale High School where she met her husband Walter Bergkamp. They were married on June 14, 1949 at St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.Thelma and Walt started their family home together two miles south of St Joseph, Ost where they raised their eight children on the family farm. They were active members of St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church and passed on their faith to their children. They enjoyed their relationships with family, neighbors, friends, and fellow parishioners. They were married for almost 25 years until Walt died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 20, 1974 at the family home they had built together.Thelma remarried on May 26, 1975 to Julius Ast at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church. They began their lives together on the Ast family farm across the street from the church. They both were also active members of the church and Thelma was Sacristan at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church for over 40 years while living there. She cherished the opportunity to enact the duties associated with being a Sacristan. She faithfully visited the Adoration Chapel at her weekly designated hour, and happily substituted when needed at other times. She loved volunteering at St Joseph, Ost Catholic School and one of her greatest joys was helping lead students from school to daily mass in church. She was a member of St Annes Altar Society of St Joseph, Ost, and the local Daughters of Isabella Circle. They were married for over 28 years until Julius passed away at home on November 17, 2003.Thelma remained in the St Joe house until May of 2017 when she moved to Dove Estates/Memory Haven in Goddard, KS where she received outstanding care that the family will forever be grateful for. She was there for six years until her death. Survivors include their children Cindy Gunn, Michael (D.D.) Bergkamp, Ken (Gail) Bergkamp, Julie (Duane) Hampel, Lila (Martin) Kerschen, John (Julie) Bergkamp, Patty (Gary) Geiger, Janell (Barry) Hogan; 20 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marilyn (Joe) Olden. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Aloysius and Emma (Lies) Hein; husbands, Walter Bergkamp and Julius Ast; brothers, Fred, Clem, Bob, Justin, and Carl; son-in-law, Raymond Gunn. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with St Joseph, Ost Catholic School, and Traditions Health Hospice. Services by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West.

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  1. To the family. I am so sorry for your loss. I did not hear about your mother passing until Monday afternoon. I would have been to her funeral if I had known. She was such a sweet and compassionate lady. She will be greatly missed by many.
    You have my deepest sympathy. I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless and keep you in his loving arms.
    Judy Ast Mertes.


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