Ethel Bergen-Blaha

SIOUX CITY -- Ethel Bergen-Blaha, 94, of Sioux City passed away Saturday, January 14, 2012, in Sioux City. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at Congregation Beth Shalom, with Rabbi Guy Greene officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Ethel was born March 28, 1917, in Sioux City, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Raskin) Shindler. She was raised in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School in 1935. Ethel married Sydney D. Bergen in 1938. She worked in Sioux City while he attended podiatry school in Chicago. After graduation, Dr. Bergen returned to Sioux City, and Ethel worked for a few years in his medical office. She was a stay-at-home mom for several years. Then Dr. Bergen and Ethel founded Frances Shoes. Ethel was the fashion buyer for Frances Shoes for 30 years. Dr. Bergen died Jan. 30, 1983. Ethel married Jack Blaha on May 8, 1989, in Las Vegas, Nev. Ethel had been a member of Shaare Zion in Sioux City, had served as vice president of the Women's League and was a member of Hadassah in Sioux City. She was a member of Beth Shalom Temple in Sun City West, Ariz., while living in Sun City West. She was a member of the Sioux City Country Club and had served as president of the Women's Golf Association. She was a member of Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, Ariz. She had also been a member of the La Sertoma Club. Survivors include her husband, Jack Blaha of Phoenix, Ariz.; her son, Dr. Randall Bergen of Sioux City; a daughter-in-law, Deborah Ann Bergen of Sioux City; two granddaughters, Saranne Elizabeth Bergen of Prairie Village, Kan., and Sydney Alison Bergen in graduate school abroad; a stepdaughter, Beth Cole and her husband, Rick of Phoenix, Ariz.; a brother, Dr. Edward Shindler of Yankton, S.D.; a sister-in-law, Miriam Bergen of Spencer, Iowa; a special friend, Muriel Ross of West Palm Beach, Fla.; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dr. Sydney D. Bergen; and three brothers, Leonard, George and Charles Shindler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Congregation Beth Shalom or Hospice of Siouxland.