Mary Kathryn (Kay) Bergkamp Milford, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, born August 23, 1939, entered into God’s Kingdom on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Mary passed away in Fowler, KS comforted by members of her large family. Mary was known to her friends and family as Kay, Mary Kay, Kate, and Aunt Kathryn.
Mary was predeceased by her father, Albert Anthony (Pete) Bergkamp; mother, Jeanne Marie Northcutt Bergkamp; sister, Barbara Ann Bergkamp; brother, Bernard (Benny) Joseph Bergkamp; and granddaughter, Caitlyn Ann Milford.
Mary is survived by her husband of 63 years, Adrian F. Milford, of Fowler, KS and their six children, Kelly (Wally) Frank of Oklahoma City, OK, Pat (Cathy) of Burlington, CO, Kevin (Stacy) of Fowler, KS, Mike (Jolene) of Goddard, KS, Tim (Rhonda) of Fowler, KS, and Terry (Doug Steele) of Overland Park, KS. Mary’s two sisters, Tricia Nieman and Karen Johnson, also survive her as well as two nieces and three nephews: Jessica Lay, Peter Johnson, Scott Nieman, John Nieman, and Sandy Nieman.
She is survived by 15 grandchildren: James (Julie) Frank, Kyle Frank, Codie Milford, Jeremy (Kambry) Milford, Joel (Lauren) Milford, Cassie (Cliff) Lang, Whitney (Jayme) Regier, Clayton (Haley) Milford, Tia (Grant) Harris, Chad Milford, TJ (Pam) Milford, Ashley (Andy) Boyd, Nathan Milford, Addy Milford, and Emma Milford. Mary is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren.
Mary was born in Wichita, KS and lived in Garden City, KS throughout her childhood. She attended Garden City High School her freshman and sophomore years and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita, KS in 1957.
On March 30, 1959, Mary and Adrian were married in Garden City, KS at Saint Mary Catholic Church. Adrian farmed with his father and Mary worked at the Garden City Telegram until moving to the Fowler, KS area in 1960. Mary spent the next 24 years working alongside her husband on the family farm moving pipe, tractor and truck driving, swathing, and making the best field lunches in the county! All of this was done while raising six active children!
Mary enjoyed 4-H as a child and was a 4-H leader when her children joined. She participated in a local club called Coffee, Children, and Chatter (CCC) and a bridge club.
Mary was a very active member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church where she sang in the choir for many years, participated in the prayer chain, and helped cook many meals for church related events. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella group. Mary and Adrian loved to jitterbug and relished the honor of leading numerous wedding marches over the years.
Early in her marriage, Mary worked at the Garden City Telegram and enjoyed writing a weekly article called “Mary-Go-Round.” In 1981, Mary returned to her print reporting roots as reporter and editor of the Meade Globe Press where she wrote “Kay’s Korner” for five years.
In 1986 Mary left the Meade Globe Press to work in the Register of Deeds Office. She was elected Meade County Register of Deeds in 1992. She retired as Register of Deeds in August 2007. She served many years as a member of the Fowler Library Board after her retirement.
Mary enjoyed gardening, cooking, crocheting, sewing, reading, attending all of her children’s school events and many of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events as well. She was an avid fan of football, basketball, and track. Apart from being a diehard Goldbug fan, she rooted for the Kansas City Chiefs and Oklahoma City Thunder. She routinely provided the pro players and officials alike stern feedback when their efforts did not meet her expectations.
The family members that Mary leaves behind are numerous, diverse, talented, kind, and service-oriented—a group of people that she is, was, and always will be immensely proud of. She will look down from Heaven through all eternity with joy overseeing the good deeds of all her descendants.
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32 NLT
In lieu of flowers for her service, Mary would wish that you make a donation to the St. Anthony Catholic Church Building Fund or Fowler Residential Care. Your continued prayers for Mary and her family are appreciated.
Vigil services will be held Thursday, April 21st 7PM at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Fowler, KS. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 22nd 10AM at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Fowler, KS. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Burial will follow in the Fowler Cemetery. A meal for friends & family will follow at the Fowler Grade School cafeteria.
