Ida Bergey

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170360265
• Name: Ida Millar
• Eby ID Number: 00004-892.8
• Residence: 1891, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

MILLAR, Mrs. Frederick B. (Ida Bergey) -- At Cambridge Country Manor, Route 31, Cambridge (P), on Saturday, April 29, 1978, Ida Bergey, formerly of 54 Marshall St., waterloo, age 92 years. Mrs. Millar was born in New Dundee, a daughter of the late David Bergey and the former Louisa Bowman. A member of Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church; a member and past president of the Women's Missionary Association of the church. A charter member and past presiden tof New Dundee Women's Institute and a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She was predeceased by her husband, Frederick B. Millar, in 1955 and by four brothers and two sisters. Surviving ar five sons, Douglas and Donald of Kitchener, Rev. Robert Millar of Oklahoma and twins, Roderick of Cambridge (G) and Frederick of Kitchener and two daughters, Louisa Miller and Bertha (Mrs. Robert Landers), both of Waterloo; 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren also survive. A private family committal service was held at Woodland cemetery today. The family will be receiving friends and relatives at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., with Rev. Martha Smith and Rev. Ron Rempel officiating. Donations to the memorial find of the WMA, the Mennonite Central Committee or the CNIB may be made as expressions of sympathy, and may be made at the church or the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Record 1 May 1978

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"Ida was the sixth of David and Louisa (Bowman) Bergey's seven children. She was born the year her family moved to New Dundee. At the age of 22 Ida became a charter member of the New Dundee Women's Institute and was elected their first president in 1907. Her involvement in the Institute provided a stepping stone to develop her creative writing. In later years she became a correspondent for the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

After her marriage to Fred Millar they purchased a little 13 acre farm two miles west of Kitchener. Fred worked in Kitchener during the 1920s but was unemployed during the depression in the 1930s. The income from the farm was not sufficient to support their growing family of seven children. Twin sons born in 1931 completed the family circle. One of thet wins at the age of two required surgery and was hospitalized for a year in the Toronto Sick Children's Hospital. (This was before the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan was in effect.)

At this point Ida recalled the cheese making skills she learned from her mother. A small vat, a cheese press and a few utensils were brought fromt he Bergey home farm near New Dundee. Ida made the traditional Bowman Farmes Mild Cheese. Medium and Old Cheddar was purchased from various cheese factories and sold at several markets. Their first market stand was at the Kitchener Farmers' Market where her brother Herb and her UncleAaron Bowman's family also sold cheese.

In 1936 and 1937 the family sold cheese at four markets each Saturday. Fred dropped off Ida and son Donald at Kitchener, then with Douglas proceeded on to Preston. That market was over by 9 a.m., then on to Hamilton, another 35 miles east. At noon Ida and Donald left the Kitchener market for the Waterloo market with a farmer who also attended both markets.

Kitchener/Waterloo are Twin Cities. The distance between the two markets was a little over three miles. The Waterloo Market did not open for business until exactly 1 p.m. when the Market Clerk would ring a bell. Those who had already made a selection (and sometimes paid for it) wouldr ush to pick up their merchandise and leave.
The market was over in a couple of hours so Ida had to wait until sometime between four and five o'clock when Fred would arrive from Hamilton to take the family and empty cheese boxes home.

They made a specialty of aging their cheddar to a degree of ripeness that was popular with many who appreciated the sharp tang. Some cheddars were much superior to others, depending on the month it was made, the factory that produced it, humidity, temperature and other factors. Visits were made to the five or six factories that produced cheddar and testing made from a tubular sample drawn from the 80-90 lb. block was standard practice.

One amusing incident remains in memory. A little cheese factory located in the Fryfogel Inn between New Hamburg and Stratford had a supply of quarter-pound bars of Limburger cheese considerably past their prime. Limburger has a relatively short life and unless refrigerated it will ripen to a soft, runny mass, almost like honey, but it certainly does not smell sweet. The manager offered them for five cents each. Could they be sold? 'Well, take them anyway and if you sell them you can pay me, if not, throw them out.'

They were offered at 15 cents each and only one or two were sold. The next week a sign announced 'Specially aged limburger - 35 cents'. We sold them all that Saturday and for weeks people would return and ask for that' good'? old limburger." (compiled by D. Douglas Millar)

"Those Enterprising Pennsylvania Germans"

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:"Ida Bergey, at the age of nineteen or twenty, probably had thedistinction of being the youngest president of any Women's Institute in Ontario. Hers was a life-long involvement in community and church activities. In her eighties, she was still visiting 'senior's.

YOUTH AND ADVENTURE

Ida Bergey was born on June 16, 1885 to David and Louisa (Bowman) Bergey. The Bergey family attended the Blenheim Mennonite Church, where David was ordained deacon in 1889.

Although Ida's father was a teacher in the public schools, an education beyond grade school was not considered necessary for girls. Ida's older sister Amelia, whose story is also told in this book, worked her own way through higher education when she was old enough to leave home. Ida's educational pursuits seem to be limited to a term in the Bible Studyclass (forerunner of Ontario Mennonite Bible School) of 1907 and a course at a business college.

Ida, however, did not lack for educational stimulation in the home. Her father's library contained most of the classics of the time. The room which contained this library was Ida's favourite.

When the New Dundee Women's Institute was organized in the early 1900s, Ida joined, and it was not long until her name was proposed for the office of president. When she asked her father what she should do, he advised, 'You have to make up your own mind. But if you can't take criticism, don't accept.'

Frequently one hears stories of young men going west for a bit of adventure, but in the Bergey family it was the women. Ida, her sister, Eva, and a family friend decided to go to California. The three of them found employment in a millionnaire's home. One of them was cook, one was the upstairs maid, the other the downstairs maid. These women learned a great deal about refined housekeeping during that year, and Ida continued to set an attractive table whenever she entertained.

On her return from California, Ida went to Toronto to find work. While there, she became acquainted with Frederick Millar. Since Ida was under church discipline for failing to abide by the prescribed dress regulations and Fred was not a member of the Mennonite Church, they were married at a Baptist church in 1917. They eventually bought a little farm just west of Kitchener.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

When Stirling Avenue Mennonite church was organized in 1924, the Millars still had no church affiliation. This congregation was open to receiving members, disciplined in their own congregations for breach of the dress code. In spite of, or perhaps because of, his being drafted into the army, the Mennonite stand on peace and non-violence appealed to Fred, and the Millars joined the Stirling Church.

Ida soon became involved in the Women's Missionary Society. In 1930 after the death of Mary Snider, Ida was appointed as Cradle Roll superintendent. (The Cradle Roll was sponsored by the WMS). In 1941 she was elected secretary of the Society, in 1944 as vice-pres., and in 1946 as president. According to the minutes she frequently volunteered to pack relief goods or mend at the Mennonite Central Committee depot. One fall, in lieu of making so many quilts, Ida organized a comforter-knotting bee for the young people. The youth knotted a lot of comforters, but the women spent another day redoing much of the work!

The church camping program also received Ida's support. Her family does not know how she had the time and energy to volunteer to cook and serve as 'camp mother', but she was there.

Probably in order to get away from the constant emphasis on quilting in the regular women's meetings, Ida and one of her Sunday school classes began the 'Friendly Circle'. This group was more socially oriented and not as highly organized as the WMS, kept no records, but did take on some projects and always had devotions at the meetings.

Living on the highway and relatively close to the road made the Millar house very accessible to the transients who walked from city to city. Especially during the Depression, men would walk the roads in search of employment, and failing to find that, had to seek a free meal and lodging, wherever they could. The Millars never turned anyone away - well, only once! One day Ida was especially busy and actually turned one away. As soon as he was on his way, she was filled with remorse. She went to the telephone and called her neighbour up the road, who promised to take care of the problem. She made a sandwich and met the man at the end of her lane.

On another occasion, a very discouraged man spent a few days at the Millar home. Unknown to them, he was contemplating suicide. After receiving the Millar family's hospitality - and even a little counsel, he went back to Chicago with renewed hope. He later wrote to them, telling them they had saved his life.

It was also during the depression years that the Millar family hosted children from the orphanage during the summer months. Ida would have liked to adopt one particular little girl, but her church friends counselled against it. They reasoned that by the time the girl would be a teenager, Ida would be an old woman. Her friends probably had the welfare of the child in mind and, no doubt, also felt that Ida, with her family of seven, had enough children of her own.

Although Ida was not much interested in quilting, she did learn to sew and kept her family well-clothed. The family recalls that a neighbour came one day with some worn out pants and asked Ida for patches. Seeing the state of the pants, Ida gave her a pair which one of her sons had outgrown. The next Sunday at church, Lena Weber came to Ida and said she had found some good pant material on sale. She had thought of Ida and all her boys; so she bought some material and made each of them a pair of pants. Ida came home beaming, 'If you give away your old pants, the Lord will give you a set of new ones!'

One cold Sunday morning in winter, the whole Millar family was sick, and everyone stayed in bed. Before long the neighbour from across the road and up the hill was knocking at the door. Fred went to answer in his night shirt. The man wondered what was wrong, and Fred wondered how he knew something was wrong. 'Well', said the caller. 'If at this hour on a Sunday morning there is no smoke coming from your chimney, there is something wrong'. He built a fire in the stove and went for his wife, who came and made a kettle full of hot soup. The outcome of that incident was that a friendship developed, and this couple - first the wife, then the husband - became members of the Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church.

When Ida joined the Women's Institute in her youth, it provided a stepping stone to develop her creative writing. As a correspondent for the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, she received a free subscription. This was particularly significant since it coincided with the depression years. She wrote a column of local news, calling herself the 'Elmdale Correspondent'. She wrote her reports by lamp light after the children were in bed. That was also the time she did most of her reading.

Ida exercised her literary skills throughout her life - writing pieces and poetry for the Women's Institute or for various family and church celebrations. One of her last poems accompanied the plates she distributed to her daughters and daughter-in-law one Christmas. She died on April 29, 1978 after a long, active life, passing on a legacy of faith, conviction, optimism and strength as well as plates."

"Willing Service:Stories of Ontario Mennonite Women", pg. 252-255
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Ida married Frederick Blain Millar 4 Mar 1918, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Frederick was born 1 Nov 1887, Lindsay, Ops Twp., Victoria Co., Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jul 1955, RR4, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Bertha — Robert Stanley "Bob" Landers. [Group Sheet]

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-180815

David — Annie Elsie "Anne" Eby. (daughter of Christian Gordon "Gordon" Eby and Elsie Maude Hewitt) [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200482655
• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200482655
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134287

Notes:

IN THE CARE OF Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre

James Donald Millar, 24 December, 1921 \endash 26 May, 2018

Don Millar, who resided at the Sunshine Centre at Luther Village in Waterloo, died early Saturday, May 26, 2018, at the age of 96 in his own home in the comforting presence of a dear friend.

Don was a man of great good cheer, quick with a joke, a poem or song, a witty remark, and a smiling greeting.

Don was born December 24, 1921, in Wilmot Township to Frederick and Ida Millar. Predeceased by his wife Doreen (nee Hood), his elder brother Douglas (Anne), his younger brothers Robert (Elsie), Frederick, and Roderick, and his brother-in-law Laurie (Pam) Hood.

Survived by his younger sisters Louisa (the late Gordon Moir) and Bertha (the late Bob Landers), sisters-in-law Janet Millar and Alice (Harvey Sauder) Millar, and brother-in-law Albert "Sonny" (Janine) Hood.

Dear Uncle Donald is remembered with great fondness by many nieces and nephews. Although Don and Doreen had no children of their own, their honourary daughter Shelley (Brian) Helmling had a special place in Don's heart.

Don grew up on the family farm on Highland Road on the west side of Kitchener. He served as a conscientious objector during WWII and worked as an electrician with the Waterloo public school board. In retirement he and Doreen spent many summers at their cottage, "Millar's End", on Sky Lake in the Bruce Peninsula where countless happy memories were created with visiting family and friends. Don enjoyed oil painting, woodworking, music, poetry, the occasional sip at Happy Hour, and celebrated his Scottish heritage. Only hours before his passing, he delighted those around him with a poetry recitation from memory.

Thanks to many kind caregivers at Luther Village who also adored Don.

Don's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, June 3, 2018, from 2 \endash 4 p.m. at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900). Funeral service will be held at St. George's of Forest Hill Anglican Church, 321 Fischer-Hallman Rd., Kitchener, on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment Woodland Cemetery.

Condolences to the family, and, in lieu of flowers, donations to Doctors Without Borders, The Christian Children's Fund of Canada, or the Mennonite Central Committee would be gratefully appreciated and may be arranged through the funeral home. Online condolences at www.westmountfuneralchapel.com

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/kitchener-on/james-millar-7862244

James — Mary Doreen "Doreen" Hood. Mary was born 13 Jun 1920, , Quebec, Canada; died 29 Aug 2010, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Louisa Mary Moir
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-147045

Notes:

December 23,1923 - March 4, 2021 Bright and bubbly Louisa departed this world on March 4th. One of seven children of Ida and Frederick Millar, she was predeceased by her husband Gordon Moir, her brothers and sisters-in-law Douglas (Anne), J. Donald (Doreen), Robert (Elsie), Roderick and Frederick, and brother-in-law Robert Landers. Fondly missed by her sister Bertha Landers, sisters-in-law Alice and Janet, many nieces and nephews, and "Lorne Streeter" friends. The Millar family lived on a farm on Highland Road on the outskirts of Kitchener. Louisa worked as a remarkably adept stenographer and as an office manager. She was a member of Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church where her fine alto voice made her a valued member of the choir. She enjoyed oil painting, gardening, sewing, and flower arranging. Her nieces were treated to sleepovers, dress-up, make-up, hair-dos and nail polish, and she spoiled her nephews with generous birthday and Christmas gifts and funny cards. Everyone loved her sunny smile, boisterous laugh, and distinctive fashion and decorative style. After her marriage to Gordon, Louisa moved to Burlington where they enjoyed boating in the harbour. She was considered royalty on Lorne St and was a beloved grandmother figure to multiple "princesses" on the street who visited for dress-up, tea parties, and playing with the cats. Her homemade butter tarts and Brussels sprouts with secret raspberry vinaigrette graced the table of many neighbourhood gatherings. She was popular for welcoming the Hallowe'en trick-or-treaters in her in clown wig and costume. Some years after the death of her husband, Louisa moved back to Waterloo to be closer to her family who are grateful for the care she received at Parkwood Mennonite Home and Columbia Forest Long Term Care. A private funeral will take place on Saturday, March 13, followed by interment at Woodland Cemetery. Donations in memory of Louisa to the local hospitals, SickKids Foundation, the Mennonite Central Committee, the Alzheimer's Society, or the charity of your choice would be welcomed and may be arranged via Erb and Good Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com. So long, Kiddo!

Louisa — Gordon Moir. Gordon was born 1908; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185088321
• Interesting: religion
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-149276

Notes:

Elohim City, Oklahoma

Elohim City (also known as Elohim City Inc.and Elohim Village) is a private community in Adair County, Oklahoma, United States. The 400 acres (1.6 km2) rural retreat was founded in 1973 by Robert G. Millar, a Canadian immigrant, former Mennonite and an important leader in America's Christian Identity movement, a theology common to an assortment of right-wing extremist groups.The community gained national attention for its ties to members of The Order in the 1980s and with convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh in the 1990s.

The enclave consists of approximately one dozen structures, some of them mobile homes, while others are modernistic dome houses. The center of activity is the church-community center, where residents meet for hour-long sessions each morning

Robert G. Millar died on May 28, 2001.After his death, his second-oldest son, John Millar, became the leader of Elohim City. John Millar died on February 28, 2019......

Elohim City, Oklahoma - Wikipedia. (2022). Retrieved 17 July 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elohim_City,_Oklahoma

Robert — Elsie Valera Fisher. Elsie (daughter of Alonzo Fisher and Sarah Jane "Jane" Ruby) was born 3 Oct 1925; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184598237
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134286
• Residence: 1955, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

MILLAR, Fred B. - Passed away at Trinity Village, on Friday, September 2, 2005, in his 75th year. Beloved husband of Janet for 51 years. Cherished father of Debbie Ditzend (Frank), Jack Millar, Steve Millar and Brad Millar (Tracy). Fred is survived by grandchildren Clay Ditzend (Julie), Chris Ditzend, Evan Millar, Vincent Millar, Ashley Millar, Anthony Millar, Zachary Millar; great-grandchildren Grace, Victoria and Jack Ditzend. Also survived by brother Don Millar (Doreen) of Kitchener, sisters Bertha Landers (Bob) of Waterloo, Louise Moir of Burlington, sister-in-law Alice Millar and brother-in-law, Jim Colley. Predeceased by brothers Doug Millar, Bob Millar and Rod Millar. The family wishes to extend their warmest thanks to Pinewood staff at Trinity Village. At Fred's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Trinity Village Care Centre, 2727 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener, ON N2C 1A7 or by calling the Westmount Funeral Chapel at 743-8900. Memorial Tributes may be made on line at www.mem.com

Westmount Funeral Home, Sep. 3, 2005

Frederick — Janet. [Group Sheet]

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-192498

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-180816

Notes:

MILLAR, D. Blaine Embraced by family and surrounded by friends, Blaine passed away at his home on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at age 61. Beloved husband and best friend of Esther (Konrad) for 33 years; loved father of David and his partner Valerie Shaw and Ben; loving son of Anne and the late D. Douglas Millar; dear brother of Christine Johnson and her husband Jim; brother-in-law to Bill and Angie Konrad, Harry Konrad, Paul Konrad and his fiancée Trina Hoekstra. Blaine will be missed by extended family, friends from church, past co-workers, and the many others he welcomed into his life. Predeceased by his father D. Douglas Millar. Blaine was an active member of Rockway Mennonite Church throughout his adult life - he served the church in a wide range of roles over the years, and loved teaching Sunday School. During his career as a social worker, Blaine worked as a case manager for Big Brothers before moving on to become an addictions counselor for House of Friendship. In semi-retirement, Blaine drove school bus for Shantz Coach Lines (now Stock Transportation). Memorial visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home , 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, May 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Memorial Service to celebrate Blaine's life and faith will be held at Rockway Mennonite Church, 32 Weber St. W., Kitchener on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. Interment in First Mennonite Cemetery at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Mennonite Central Committee or the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.