Vera Bergholz, daughter of Bill and Blanche Hill, was born January 14, 1934, in Norwood, Missouri, and departed this life June 7, 2025, at 91 years of age.
Vera was the third of seven children. She grew up attending school in Norwood, where she enjoyed sports, especially volleyball. She graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 1951. Soon after graduation, she took a bus from Norwood to Los Angeles, California. In California, she wed Walter Lee McGowan and had two daughters, Patsy and Linda.
Vera was married to Gordon Bergholz on December 6, 1968. They lived in Los Angeles until 1971, before deciding to move back to Missouri, where she lived the past 50 years of her life in Norwood.
In her lifetime, Vera worked at Millers in Los Angeles, California, General Electric in Springfield, Missouri, and Walmart in Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Vera enjoyed spending time with family, especially when hunting and fishing with her husband and grandchildren. Vera and Gordon were very involved in horses and traveling throughout Missouri to go trail riding. She also enjoyed playing cards and reading.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Blanche Hill, husband of 46 years, Gordon Bergholz, daughter, Patsy Ransom, brothers, Billy Hill and JD Hill, and her sister, Katie Roberts.
Vera is survived by three sisters, Marilyn Walker of Norwood, Missouri, Linda (Ray) Solovic of Van Buren, Missouri, and Margie (Jack) Hylton of Nixa, Missouri, one daughter, Linda McGowan of Miramar Beach, Florida, grandchildren, Jason (Kristi) Hylton, Shane (Stacy) Hylton, Ryan (Kim) Ransom, and Troy Ransom, great-grandchildren, Haven Ransom, Tyler Ransom, Lake Ransom, Fisher Ransom, Brandon Martelli, Will Hall, Sydni Hall, Jaden Hylton, Luke Hylton, Brody Hylton, and Charlee Hylton, and a number of additional family and friends who will miss her dearly.
Memorial Donations may be made to Thomas Cemetery
