Audrey Merle (Mendenhall) Bergman, 91, of Clinton, Iowa, formerly of Dubuque, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024.  Audrey has donated her body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program to further science.

Audrey was born November 20, 1932 in Chicago, daughter of Andrew John and Neva (Gallop) Mendenhall.

She attended grades one through six in Arlington, Iowa, grades 6 through 8 in a one room school house with the Amish in Buchanan Country, and graduated from Jesup High School in 1950.  In elementary school, Audrey was active in Girl Scouts, and 4-H, winning ribbons for her apple jelly and bread.  High school activities included Play Craft, Librarian, Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, Sextet, Solos, and playing the clarinet in band. Her dad said she attended school for the activities.

She took her medical technology and x-ray training at North West Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She worked in both laboratory and x-ray departments in Manchester, Iowa for six months, and in Perry, Iowa for 11 years.  She also worked in Oelwein, Iowa for four years as a Medical Technologist only.  She then worked at Finley Hospital in Dubuque for over 30 years in the laboratory where she was honored to receive the Caring Hearts award. She retired in 1997 after being in the medical field for over 45 years. She was also a certified Reflexologist.

Audrey married Roy Lee Bergman on July 16, 1954.  They had four children, Craig, Mark, Dawn and Paula.  Roy passed away two months short of their 50th wedding anniversary.

She and Roy helped build eight houses for Habitat for Humanity.  She was active in teaching Sunday School in each community she lived in.

She enjoyed bicycling, gardening, canning, refinishing furniture, sewing, reading, word games, cards, and bowling.

Audrey’s goal was to live her life pleasing the Lord, and her prayer was that each member of her family would come to know their maker.

She is survived by two sons, Craig (Jamie?) Bergman of Dubuque, Iowa and Mark (Sue) Bergman of Mankato, Minnesota; two daughters, Paula Edwards of Clinton, Iowa and Dawn (Tim) Hill of Fountain, Colorado; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one sister, Mary Joan Haasis of Waterloo, Iowa.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Julia Schmidt and Neva Shields.

Memorials may be directed to Paralyzed Veterans of America.