Thelma Hein Bergkamp Ast passed peacefully at the age of 95 on July 2, 2023, at Memory Haven, Goddard. Rosary was at 10 a.m. and funeral Mass was at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 3, at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church, with burial at the parish cemetery.

Thelma was born on Feb. 1, 1928, in rural St. Marks to her parents, Aloysius and Emma (Lies) Hein. The oldest of seven children, she attended St Mark Elementary School and Andale High School, where she met her husband, Walter Bergkamp. They were married on June 14, 1949, at St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Thelma and Walt started their family home together two miles south of St Joseph, Ost, where they raised their eight children on the family farm. They were active members of St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church and passed on their faith to their children. They enjoyed their relationships with family, neighbors, friends, and fellow parishioners. They were married for almost 25 years until Walt died suddenly and unexpectedly on March 20, 1974, at the family home they had built together.

Thelma remarried on May 26, 1975, to Julius Ast at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church. They began their lives together on the Ast family farm across the street from the church. They both also were active members of the church and Thelma was Sacristan at St Joseph, Ost Catholic Church for more thabn 40 years while living there.

She cherished the opportunity to enact the duties associated with being a Sacristan. She faithfully visited the Adoration Chapel at her weekly designated hour, and happily substituted when needed at other times. She loved volunteering at St Joseph, Ost Catholic School and one of her greatest joys was helping lead students from school to daily Mass in church. She was a member of St Anne's Altar Society of St. Joseph, Ost, and the local Daughters of Isabella Circle. They were married for more than 28 years until Julius passed away at home on Nov. 17, 2003.

Thelma remained in the St. Joe house until May of 2017, when she moved to Dove Estates/Memory Haven in Goddard, where she received outstanding care that the family will forever be grateful for. She was there for six years until her death.

Survivors include their children, Cindy Gunn, Michael (D.D.) Bergkamp, Ken (Gail) Bergkamp, Julie (Duane) Hampel, Lila (Martin) Kerschen, John (Julie) Bergkamp, Patty (Gary) Geiger, Janell (Barry) Hogan; 20 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marilyn (Joe) Olden. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Aloysius and Emma (Lies) Hein; husbands, Walter Bergkamp and Julius Ast; brothers, Fred, Clem, Bob, Justin, and Carl; and son-in-law, Raymond Gunn.

Service was held on Monday, July 3, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ost in Mt. Hope.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with St Joseph, Ost Catholic School, and Traditions Health Hospice. Services were by Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com.