Madeline Ann (Cooper) Bergren, the daughter of Ward Eldridge and Doris Maxine (Ward) Cooper was born October 12, 1937, in Red Oak, Iowa. She passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at the Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda, Iowa, the age of 84 years and 25 days.

Madeline was raised in Emerson, Iowa, and attended school in Emerson. As an only child, she was especially close to three special cousins: Darrell, Marshall and Karen, whom she considered the siblings she never had. As a teenager, Madeline worked at Shoop's Café and Ann's Café. She also worked at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, as a nurse aide. Madeline was a member of the Emerson United Methodist Church where she was united in marriage to Duane A. Bergren on November 10, 1956. They raised their four children on the farm near Mortons Mill, Iowa. Madeline became a member of Mortons Mill Union Church, where she taught Sunday school and was an active member of the Mortons Mill Ladies Aid. Madeline was well known for her excellent cooking skills and was the happiest when family and friends were enjoying her abundant comfort foods. She had an extensive collection of cookbooks, many with well worn covers and dog-eared pages. She always said a cookbook was her favorite reading material, and best meals were always made from scratch and a whole lot of love. Madeline was truly a people person, and she was naturally suited to customer service. She enjoyed 17 years of employment at Mark Jackson's Hardware in Red Oak, where she met and made so many new friends. Madeline loved playing cards, bingo and taking trips to the casino, but first and foremost in her life was her family. Madeline was blessed to help care for her granddaughter, Rylee, when she lived with Rylee's family for over six years in both Omaha and Arizona. She and Rylee shared a special and unbreakable bond. Madeline adored each one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they were a source of continuous love and joy in her life.

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Duane on April 5, 2002; in-laws, Arthur and Ethel (Fast) Bergren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Maxine (Wayne) Campbell, Lois (Fred) Bryson, Bev (Darwin) Buch; and nieces: Sandra Moritz and Sharon Gregg.

Madeline is survived by her four children: Lauri (Tom) Schafer of Jacksonville, FL, Junior (Susan) Bergren of Elliott, IA, Steve Bergren of Stanton, IA and Linda (Tom) Gray of San Tan Valley, AZ; seven grandchildren: Daniel (Amy) Schafer, Ryan (Emily) Schafer, Brandon (Jillian) Schafer, Rachel Bergren, Brad (Britni) Bergren, Aaron (Ashley Bates) Bergren, Rylee Lyn Gray; and seven great-grandchildren: Brodie Schafer, Addison Schafer, Mason Schafer, Patrick Schafer and Lainey Schafer, Makynzi and Kennedi Bergren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held
Monday, November 15, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.
At Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak, IA
Private family burial will take place at Mortons Mill Cemetery, Mortons Mill, IA

Viewing and Visitation with the family on Sunday afternoon at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to: 2Gether We Live, 909 W Grove Pkwy #3020, Tempe, AZ 85283
or Manes & Miracles, 43421 N Friend, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.