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July 16, 2009
Services
A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at 1:30 pm at the United Methodist Church of Wayne, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
ELISE COURTNEY BERDAN HOLMGREN - A DECENDENT OF THE BERDAN FAMILY, EARLY SETTLERS OF WAYNE
Elise Berdan Holmgren, age 95 of Wayne died on July 16, 2009 at home.
Born on July 4, 1914 at the Berdan Homestead, (which was located on Valley Rd. at Rillo Dr.) she was the second of 8 children.
She entered and departed this life on Valley Road, the 8th generation to live in the area originally settled by her Dutch farming ancestors who arrived in the Preakness Valley in the early 1700’s. Many of her ancestors are buried in the Preakness Reformed Church cemetery and the Dey-Hogencamp cemetery near the Dey Mansion in Wayne.
Her formative years were spent growing up in the Nellis Farmhouse (which was adjacent to the current site of the Wayne Public Library). The family later lived in the Mountain View section of Wayne. She was a graduate of Montclair High School. Soon after her graduation, at age 18, she helped raise her 6 younger siblings after the death of her mother.
She recalled going to church by horse drawn carriage, having an attached two-seater privy, using bed warmers in the winter because the only heat came from a kitchen stove, and going to the spring house with her brothers to retrieve watermelon.
She met her husband Nels at the Mountain View Methodist Church youth group. After several years of courtship during the Depression, they married at the Holmgren home on New Street in Mountain View. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until Nels’ passing on February 3, 1993. During Nels’ retirement years, they lived in Brick, NJ and spent several months each winter on Marco Island in Florida.
She was a gracious, devoted, and family-oriented person who loved to cook and have her family gathered around. Her annual birthday picnic on July 4 was one of the family’s favorite gatherings that allowed them to celebrate the birth of our nation and of their beloved and fun-loving Elise.
Elise was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne and was especially active in the church’s Ruth Circle. She was a member of the Mountain View Women’s Club and active in the P.T.A. as well as the Friends of the Wayne Public Library.
For the past 21 years, since the birth of her eldest great grandchild, she enjoyed being an active part of a four-generation family. She loved to attend family gatherings and never missed a party celebrating a milestone in one of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren’s lives.
She was quick witted and had a marvelous sense of humor that she shared with all. Called ‘Nana’ by both family and many friends, she delighted them with expressions and old sayings (often unfamiliar to the younger generations) perfectly suited to the conversation. ‘Nana’ always looked at the bright side of a situation and was grateful for her blessings, despite the hardships associated with a long life. Her maternal love and care touched our hearts and souls. Her spirited life will remain with us always.
Survivors include Susan H. Pikaart and her husband Wellesley of Wayne, Leonard Holmgren and his wife Sally of Wayne; Lisa Kay Burse and her husband Ron of Vernon, NJ; seven grandchildren: Susan P. Bristol and her husband Henry of Rocky Hill, NJ; Betsy Pikaart of Wayne; Nancy P. Ingram and her husband Patrick of Charlottesville, VA; Wellesley H. Pikaart, III, and his wife Sheila of Westfield, NJ; Erin H. Corsiglia and her husband Chris of Wayne; Katie H. Sahid and her husband John of Ladera Ranch, CA; and Tyler Burse of Vernon, NJ. Great grandchildren included Clark, Rachel and Benjamin Bristol; Patrick, Nathan and Ryan Ingram; Julia and Kelly Pikaart; Samantha, Max and Chris Corsiglia; Abby, Audrey, and Jack Sahid. Siblings: Dr. Leonard Berdan of Schoharie, NY; Antoinette Whetham of Silver Springs, MD; Katherine McNomee and her husband Albert of Forked River, NJ; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by sisters Dorcas B. Martin and Harriet B. McNomee and brothers Bird L. Berdan and Frederick Berdan.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Elise’s memory are asked to consider the United Methodist Church of Wayne or the United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at 1:30 pm at the United Methodist Church of Wayne, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
July 16, 2009
Services
A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at 1:30 pm at the United Methodist Church of Wayne, 99 Parish Drive, Wayne.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
ELISE COURTNEY BERDAN HOLMGREN - A DECENDENT OF THE BERDAN FAMILY, EARLY SETTLERS OF WAYNE
Elise Berdan Holmgren, age 95 of Wayne died on July 16, 2009 at home.
Born on July 4, 1914 at the Berdan Homestead, (which was located on Valley Rd. at Rillo Dr.) she was the second of 8 children.
She entered and departed this life on Valley Road, the 8th generation to live in the area originally settled by her Dutch farming ancestors who arrived in the Preakness Valley in the early 1700’s. Many of her ancestors are buried in the Preakness Reformed Church cemetery and the Dey-Hogencamp cemetery near the Dey Mansion in Wayne.
Her formative years were spent growing up in the Nellis Farmhouse (which was adjacent to the current site of the Wayne Public Library). The family later lived in the Mountain View section of Wayne. She was a graduate of Montclair High School. Soon after her graduation, at age 18, she helped raise her 6 younger siblings after the death of her mother.
She recalled going to church by horse drawn carriage, having an attached two-seater privy, using bed warmers in the winter because the only heat came from a kitchen stove, and going to the spring house with her brothers to retrieve watermelon.
She met her husband Nels at the Mountain View Methodist Church youth group. After several years of courtship during the Depression, they married at the Holmgren home on New Street in Mountain View. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until Nels’ passing on February 3, 1993. During Nels’ retirement years, they lived in Brick, NJ and spent several months each winter on Marco Island in Florida.
She was a gracious, devoted, and family-oriented person who loved to cook and have her family gathered around. Her annual birthday picnic on July 4 was one of the family’s favorite gatherings that allowed them to celebrate the birth of our nation and of their beloved and fun-loving Elise.
Elise was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne and was especially active in the church’s Ruth Circle. She was a member of the Mountain View Women’s Club and active in the P.T.A. as well as the Friends of the Wayne Public Library.
For the past 21 years, since the birth of her eldest great grandchild, she enjoyed being an active part of a four-generation family. She loved to attend family gatherings and never missed a party celebrating a milestone in one of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren’s lives.
She was quick witted and had a marvelous sense of humor that she shared with all. Called ‘Nana’ by both family and many friends, she delighted them with expressions and old sayings (often unfamiliar to the younger generations) perfectly suited to the conversation. ‘Nana’ always looked at the bright side of a situation and was grateful for her blessings, despite the hardships associated with a long life. Her maternal love and care touched our hearts and souls. Her spirited life will remain with us always.
Survivors include Susan H. Pikaart and her husband Wellesley of Wayne, Leonard Holmgren and his wife Sally of Wayne; Lisa Kay Burse and her husband Ron of Vernon, NJ; seven grandchildren: Susan P. Bristol and her husband Henry of Rocky Hill, NJ; Betsy Pikaart of Wayne; Nancy P. Ingram and her husband Patrick of Charlottesville, VA; Wellesley H. Pikaart, III, and his wife Sheila of Westfield, NJ; Erin H. Corsiglia and her husband Chris of Wayne; Katie H. Sahid and her husband John of Ladera Ranch, CA; and Tyler Burse of Vernon, NJ. Great grandchildren included Clark, Rachel and Benjamin Bristol; Patrick, Nathan and Ryan Ingram; Julia and Kelly Pikaart; Samantha, Max and Chris Corsiglia; Abby, Audrey, and Jack Sahid. Siblings: Dr. Leonard Berdan of Schoharie, NY; Antoinette Whetham of Silver Springs, MD; Katherine McNomee and her husband Albert of Forked River, NJ; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by sisters Dorcas B. Martin and Harriet B. McNomee and brothers Bird L. Berdan and Frederick Berdan.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Elise’s memory are asked to consider the United Methodist Church of Wayne or the United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.
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