LEWISTON – Vera Gardner Bergman of East Wilton, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston of complications from breast cancer, a disease that claimed her body, but never afflicted her soul.

She was born Feb. 12, 1921, on the family farm in Farmington, a daughter of Wesley I. and Addie V. (Nevers) Gardner. She grew up in Farmington and graduated from Farmington Normal School in 1943, with a B.A. degree in home economics. She taught for three years in the Lewiston public school system, during which time she met Arthur Bergman, a handsome Swede who swept her off her feet – and eventually, across the ocean. They were married in 1946 and shortly thereafter moved to Sweden.

They later returned to the States, and in 1953, bought a big, white house and barn in East Wilton, and turned it into “Bergman Sweden House” – a bed and breakfast, dining room and Scandinavian gift shop. She thrived in this business, which she and Arthur successfully ran for more than 50 years.

When Arthur died in 1999, she did not surrender to her grief and loss. She began traveling; she bought a time-share in Mexico when she was 80 years old, went jet-skiing, and cruised to Alaska, Hawaii and Bermuda.

A member of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn and the local Tyngtown, Monday and Garden Clubs, she remained active and involved until illness recently prevented her from doing so. Always intensely curious about the world and the people in it, she led an extraordinary and eventful life. She met every challenge, including cancer, with grace, courage, wisdom and a sense of humor. She was truly one of a kind and will be deeply and forever missed by all who love her.

She is survived by her four daughters, Sonja (Sunni) Junkins and her husband, Jerry, of North Livermore, Kathryn (Katie) Worthington of Providence, R.I., Britta (Boo) Bergman and her husband, Bill Lennon, of Bellevue, Wash., and Ana Lisa (Lisa) Bergman-Matthews and her husband, Ernest, of Palm Springs, Calif.; her five grandchildren, John, Sara and Ruth Junkins, Addie Worthington and Laura Bergman; her brother, Burdett Gardner and his wife, Rachel, of West Long Branch, N.J.; five nieces; and three nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arthur in 1999.