Carmen Thorpe

CARMEN BERGSTROM THORPE
Cedar Rapids

Carmen Bergstrom Thorpe, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away June 4, 2018, at the Arden Courts Memory Care Center in Annandale, Va. She was a resident of Westminster at Lake Ridge, Va.
Carmen was born in Pekin, N.D., on Aug. 28, 1939. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Viola Bergstrom of Pekin; and brother, Alan of Washington, D.C.
Carmen graduated from high school in Pekin and went on to Jamestown College and then to the University of North Dakota, where she graduated in 1960 with a bachelor's degree in fine art. She was a very talented and creative person and was successful as an artist, printmaker, musician and photographer. She also was known as an excellent cook and hostess, often entertaining family, friends and business associates in their home.
Survivors include her husband, Rod, whom she married in 1960; son, Noel and his wife, Susan, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; son, Eric and his wife, Insun, of Seoul, South Korea; granddaughter, Carmen Lynn Thorpe of Seoul, South Korea; sisters, Mary Bergstrom and Sylvia Bergstrom of Washington, D.C.; and several nieces, nephews and many close friends.
Carmen and Rod began their marriage in Arlington, Va., while Rod was stationed as an Army officer at the Pentagon. After Army service, he accepted employment with Rockwell Collins in 1963 and they subsequently resided in Fairfax, Va., Irvine, Calif., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While living in Cedar Rapids, Carmen was a member of the Cedar Rapids Artists Association, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the First Lutheran Church.
Carmen was caring, loving and gregarious and was cherished by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at Westminster at Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Dr., Lake Ridge, VA 22192.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Westminster Resident Support Fund or the Kreider Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Condolences: www.fmfh.com.