Lela "Lee" Rae Potts Bergstrom's Obituary
Lela Rae (“Lee”) Potts Bergstrom
1926-2019
Lela Rae (“Lee”) Potts Bergstrom quietly returned home on September 4, 2019 after nearly 93 gracious years of life. Lee will be remembered for her selfless devotion to family and friends, kind heart, and caring concern for others. She was an intuitive, giving woman, always ready to listen to and support those in need.
She was born on October 10, 1926 in Silver City, Juab County, Utah to Ray Leland and Cecil Higginson Potts. Her family moved to the Sugarhouse area in Salt Lake City in 1930 where she grew up with brothers Keith and Dick. Lee had a keen mind and loved learning, graduating from East High School in 1943 at the age of 16 and the University of Utah with honors in Home Economics in 1948. While attending the “U,” Lee was employed part-time as a legal secretary, then as a stenographer at the Salt Lake Hardware Company. Later she was a service representative at Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph. Her last job was that of office manager from 1968-1974 when Harry and she formed a family-owned business, Bergstrom Furniture and Appliance, on 701 South State in Salt Lake City. Lee affiliated with Delta Gamma sorority at the “U,” remained active in their alumnae organization, and treasured many wonderful life-long friendships from this association. Her life was gilded by these and other sweet friendships. Her special interest was in Delta Gamma’s philanthropic volunteer project of screening young children to prevent blindness. As one of four Delta Gamma founders of the Utah Society to Prevent Blindness (now known as “Friends of Sight”), she served as a director on its board and statistical recorder for 20 years, as well as a volunteer in the vision screening of preschool children for amblyopia (lazy eye) for over 60 years. On a blind date, Lee met Harry Bergstrom, a tall, nice-looking Marine home from World War II. Married September 3, 1948, they welcomed three children, Steven Craig, Christine, and Terri Ann into their home. Her family meant the world to her, and they sealed their love for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on December 17, 1970. Lee and Harry celebrated 65 years of marriage before his death on May 13, 2014. Lee loved and had a strong testimony of the restored gospel. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, conscientiously serving in such callings as Relief Society counselor, Primary and Sunday School teacher, ward music chairman, and organist. Music was an essential part of her life. She greatly appreciated the opportunity to take group organ lessons from Frank Asper and other tabernacle organists. After Harry’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and many foreign countries, especially treasuring a trip to Sweden to visit his cousins and relatives there. She compiled beautiful scrapbooks full of their trip memories. In recent years, Lee enjoyed belonging to DUP (Daughters of the Utah Pioneers). She was proud of her pioneer ancestors. All eight of her great-grandparents crossed the plains to Utah Territory, including the William and Ann Openshaw family who came with the ill-fated Martin Handcart company in 1856. Lee was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brothers; and is survived by her 3 children, 12 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, August 14, 2019 at the East Mill Creek Stake Center, 3103 East Craig Drive (3600 South), Salt Lake City, Utah where a viewing will be held Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday prior to services from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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