Mitsu Bergdoll

Mitsu Bergdoll passed away peacefully at the age of 82 in the presence of family on January 8th after her courageous battle with cancer. Born March 1, 1938 in Miyako Island, Japan to Shigeru and Tatsu Okuhama. After graduating Miyako high school (Class of 1957) and living in Naha, Okinawa for a short time, she set out to Tokyo where she worked in the finance department at Tachikawa Air Force Base. This is where she met James Bergdoll, Jr., her future husband of 48 years. She made the brave move to start a new life in Indiana and was married on May 8, 1972 on Beaver Hill Farm in rural Dunkirk, IN where her and Jim spent most of their married life.

In the 1980’s, Mitsu became known for a Japanese craft called Temari after an article in Family Circle magazine. These decorative balls were popular at Christmas and people from around the country would call in with orders for the holidays. 

She was a retiree of Saint-Gobain in Dunkirk. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and an active member of the Indiana Okinawa Kenjinkai. Mitsu enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, traveling back to Okinawa, watching her beloved grandchildren and spending time with friends and family. Mitsu also loved classical and Japanese standards music.

Her constant and contagious smile, kindness, generosity, and friendliness will be missed by all who knew her. As a young girl, she was shaped by daily struggle to simply survive the aftermath of WWII. She saw first hand that all material possessions are transitory. However, friends and family are everlasting and imparted this to her children and grandchildren. 

She is survived by her husband James; son Brant Bergdoll (Stacie) of Noblesville, IN; daughter Loree Everette (Jerry Greene) of Indianapolis, IN and three grandchildren. Sisters Shizue Okuhama and Ayako Sakurai of Okinawa, Japan.

Her family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital and Cancer Care, IU Ball Memorial Hospital, Home Health Angels, and Transitions Hospice.

A graveside service will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Hill Crest Cemetery of Redkey, Indiana. The family will have a private visitation and service. Dunkirk Memorial Chapel of Dunkirk, IN has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonshookfh.com.

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