Shirley Joanne Bergam

The Lord Jesus called Shirley Joanne Bergam to heaven on April 15, 2025. Shirley was born on December 8, 1932, in Kansas City, Missouri to G. Phelps and Esther Toler and moved to Jerome, Idaho in 1945. In 1955, Shirley graduated from the College of Idaho and married her college sweetheart, Lurelle ”Bergie” Bergam, the same day. After a summer honeymoon adventure at a fire lookout in Yellowstone National Park, Shirley and Bergie moved to Bakersfield, California to pursue teaching careers. Shortly after settling, they started their family.

Shirley spent her life following Jesus’s command to make disciples of every nation through the ministry of Bible Study Fellowship International in many roles from group member, children’s leader, teaching leader and area advisor; and through First Presbyterian Church as a Sunday school teacher, youth advisor, covenant group facilitator, and member for 70 years. Shirley loved spending time in conversation with her beloved “Thursday Girls”, baking, sewing, decorating, gardening, bargain hunting, coupon cutting, and reading to her children (and later grandchildren and great grandchildren). Shirley placed a high value on daily Bible reading, worship, and teaching the Bible to women and children.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Lurelle. She is survived by son David and children Amy, Nick (Andrea), and Haley; son Chris (Sandy) and children Daniel (Aleah), Jacob (Lorrana), and Cassy; daughter Margaret Roberts; daughter Janet Conner (James); her siblings Gretchen Brenna Pennington, Gordan Toler, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also preceded in death by her parents, sisters Jackie Hendrix and Gail Klinchuch , son-in-law Brent Roberts and daughter-in-law Roxane.

In remembrance of Shirley, donations may be made to BSF or First Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 17th at 11:00 am, First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA.

https://fpbchurch.com/give-online/

https://www.bsfinternational.org/support/memorials-and-honorarium/