Jacob Bergen

Lillian and Jacob Bergen

Lillian Louise Bergen, 88, and Jacob Bergen, 92 passed away on January 25th and January 27th, 2018 respectively at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut. They were passionate about their faith even during their last days in the hospital they ministered to those around them. 

Lillian was born November 4, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter of Helene and Alfred Dersch. Jacob was born July 10th, 1925 in Dufferin, Manitoba, Canada he was the son of Jacob and Marie Bergen. He was born on a farm and the doctor didn't arrive until the next day, so his official date of birth is the July 11th, 1925. 

They met at the American Seminary of the Bible in Brooklyn, NY. On August 1, 1953 they were united in marriage at the Bellerose Baptist Church in Queens, NY where they were lifetime members. They lived in NYC before moving to Vienna, Austria in 1954. They served as the first foreign missionaries in Vienna, Austria after World War II. During the rise of the Iron Curtain in the early 1960s they secretly provided the persecuted Eastern European Christians with Bibles and humanitarian aid. They remained in Austria until 1989 and upon returning to the America they settled in Ridgefield, CT and served with Light In The East, Inc.  They were devoted to each other, God and their children.

They are survived by four children, Marie Kern (Alexander) of Vienna, Austria, Lydia Allen (Robert) of Pompano Beach, FL, Philip Bergen (Jennifer) of Bethel, CT, and Jonathan Bergen (Janice) of Vienna, Austria. They were predeceased in death by their son Alfred Bergen (Tamera) of Southbury, CT in 2004. They are also survived by 15 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. 

Lillian is also survived by a brother, Alfred Dersch of Syossett, NY and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Helen Kranz and Lucy Lacal. Jacob is survived by his siblings Margaret Bergen, Peter Bergen, Anna Exley, Marie Schroeder, Lena Rosner, Henry Bergen and multiple nieces and nephews all of Canada. He was predeceased by his siblings Bernard Bergen, John Bergen, Abraham Bergen and Katy Cook.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 7th, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Ridgefield Baptist Church, Ridgefield, Connecticut. There are no calling hours.

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