Hallettsville, Texas- James A. Bergman, 92, Hallettsville, Texas, died Monday, January 2, 2012, at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center. Jim was born July 25, 1919 in Andover, Missouri to Gus and Florence (Hurst) Bergman Jr. His father was a dairy farmer. He graduated from Lamoni High School on May 18th, 1939 in Lamoni, Iowa. He was drafted into the US Army in 1940. From 1941-1943 he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in the 688th Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division as a 2nd Lt. From 1943-1944 he was stationed at South Hampton England with the 688th, 28th Infantry Division. In 1944 he landed in Utah Beach, south of Omaha Beach in France where 6,000 Americans were killed. He went to Hedgerow, France and crossed the Saar River, and joined the 4th Armor Division, 22nd Armor Division with General Patton and fought at the Battle of the Bulge and then went to Prague, Czechoslovakia with Patton. In 1962 he retired as a Major after spending 24 years of serving his country in the US Army. He also spent 20 years working in the Postal Service. His commitment and dedication to serving his country meant a lot to him. He lived his military service from the time he was drafted to the day he died. He loved hunting and fishing year round and of course, he was proud of his "bragging" rights with the delicious fruits and vegetables he grew in his garden. The volunteer hours he put in to help veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VFW, American Legion, and the Military Order of the Cootie has not gone unnoticed. Helping others played an important part of his entire life. He was a member of the Western South Dakota Buckaroos, was a life Member of Masonic Battle River Lodge 92, Hermosa, SD, where he was a 32nd degree Master Mason, and member of the NAJA Shriner-Cowboy Unit. Survivors include one son, James A Bergman II and his fianc Chris Wedge, Rapid City; two daughters, Barb (Larry) Koehn, Hallettsville, TX; Melissa Bergman and Sandra Uhland, Houston, TX; five grandchildren: Jeffrey (Sara) Koehn, Fairview, TX; Michael (Lori) Koehn; Houston, TX; Lindzie Bergman, Black Hawk; Jimi Kay Bergman, Rapid City; and Brittani Roth, Pierre; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; Laurine; one sister; three brothers; and his parents. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 4-7 pm at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Graveside services will be on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 9:30 am at Black Hills National Cemetery with Ret. Chaplain Herb B. Cleveland officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard. In lieu of gifts and flowers, the family of James Bergman would request that memorials made to The James Bergman Memorial Garden. Our Dad spent many hours at Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center enjoying the sunshine in the garden area. The family would like to enhance it in memory of our dad for his love of gardening. The Memorial Garden will be enjoyed by Alzheimer's patients and the staff whose love, compassion, and dedication greatly contributed to enhancing our Dad's quality of life. Donations can be made to: The James Bergman Memorial Garden C/o Barb Koehn 749 CR 244 Hallettsville, Tx 77964