M. Darlene Eliason Lundstrom Bergmeier

Marjorie Darlene Eliason Lundstrom Bergmeier of Saddlebrooke and Oro Valley, Arizona, passed away in Lake Oswego, Oregon on Friday May 29, 2020. For nearly 100 years, she lived an incredible life and leaves behind many friends and family members. A native Nebraskan, "Darlene" was the daughter of Frank and Nettie Steinmeyer, born on August 30, 1920 at the family farm near Clatonia, Nebraska. She was a determined individual, and with a twinkle in her eye, she would say that she was the valedictorian of her high school class of 8. As the Depression wrought its hardships on families and individuals, Darlene worked multiple jobs in order to pay her way through college at the "Harvard of the Plains," the University of Nebraska. World War II interrupted her educational goals, as did her marriage in 1947 to Raymond Eliason. While Ray worked for AT&T and Western Electric in Omaha, Darlene raised the couple's two children: Chuck and Marjorie. Eventually, Darlene rejoined the workforce and took a position working for the Westside/District 66 School Administration. Ray was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in 1971. As a widowed mother of two, Darlene worked full-time and saw to it that her children would continue to college. Around the same time, she decided that like her two children, she would continue to pursue her own college degree that World War II had interrupted. In 1973, Darlene left the Westside School District to work as the Executive Secretary of the downtown Omaha Rotary Club, and also began taking college classes to pursue a degree in Business and Home Economics, which she successfully achieved in December, 1975. In December, 1975, Darlene took a trip down the wedding aisle for a second time, when she married Ray Eliason's mentor and family friend, Dr. Glenn Lundstrom. They made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska where Glenn had served as the Superintendent of Schools. Glenn and Darlene did lots of traveling and entertaining, and later relocated to Omaha, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, Glenn too was diagnosed with cancer and passed in 1991. Darlene was adept at keeping up with new technology and the internet. And perhaps much to her surprise, in 1996, Ken Bergmeier, who she'd dated in high school, found Darlene through the internet and a long distance romance eventually led to her third and final marriage. Ken and Darlene took many trips, exploring the world, visiting China, Russia, Australia, and numerous countries throughout Europe. They also joined a sports car club and drove way too fast for people their age in a bright red BMW convertible. However, once again, cancer struck for the third time, and after 19 years of marriage, Ken passed away in 2016. Throughout her life, Darlene volunteered for numerous activities and joined many clubs and organizations. The organizations included PEO, AAUW, the Nebraska Foster Children's Review Board, the St. Timothy's Lutheran Church Women's organization, Bethphage Mission, Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church, and the "Home Ec. Club." She was a stickler for organization. She joined and led numerous organizations over her lifetime. Through these experiences, she created a large network of friends in Nebraska, Arizona and places in between. Darlene was mentally sharp, physically fit and aware of her surroundings until old age caught up with her as she approached the age of 100. She was an avid reader, a lifelong Bridge player (until age 98, when Macular Degeneration caused her to give up the card game she so loved). She played golf into her early 90's, always trying to keep her score in the same range as her age. She was famous for baking and sharing pies, cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies and candy, especially her Peanut Brittle and Divinity, and serving up incredible recipes at dinners she hosted. She also made sure to send one of her hand-made cards to her friends and family for both simple and special occasions. Marjorie is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Eliason Brown and son-in-law, Richard; daughter-in-law Beth Eliason of Yutan, Nebraska; Step-son Tom Lundstrom of Tucson Arizona; Grandchildren: Spencer, Davis and Jackson Brown; Margaret Eliason Snead; Grace and Ben Eliason, and two great-grandchildren. Darlene was predeceased by her three husbands, her son, Raymond Charles Eliason, and by her 4 siblings. Braman Mortuary of Omaha, Nebraska is in charge of funeral arrangements. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a private family graveside service will be conducted at Sunrise Cemetery in Wahoo, Nebraska. Arrangements are pending. Memorial donations may be made to PEO Cottey College. Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE68114 402-391-2171