Ann Bongard

Mary Ann Bongard ("Ann"), age 95, passed away peacefully in the New Harmony Care Center on Tuesday, August 14, with her family by her side. Ann was born in St. Paul on March 16, 1923. As an infant, Ann traveled back to Romania (the birthplace of her father and mother). She lived with her maternal grandparents until 1931 when she and her mother returned to St. Paul. She entered school for the first time at age 8, and spoke no English. She quickly became proficient in this new language, while maintaining her proficiency in the Romanian language and preserving her cultural heritage.
Ann has spent her life as an active and devoted member of the Romanian community and St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church of St. Paul. She has held numerous leadership positions in the church and has received formal recognition for her service to the community, and notably to the Romanian immigrants in Minnesota.
Ann began this ministry to aid the Romanian immigrants who were fleeing the Communist Revolution in the late 1980's through 2000. She personally helped over 150 families who arrived in the Twin Cities with little money and few possessions. She sponsored many of these families, locating housing, jobs, assistance programs and even providing transportation and translation assistance. At times, she offered her home as a temporary shelter. By her selfless actions, she helped facilitate the successful integration of the Romanian immigrants into the greater community. These individuals are now successful and hard-working members of our community, who have realized the American dream due in no small-part to Ann's generosity and compassion to those in need.
Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Precopie and Victoria Popa; her eldest daughter, Victoria McConnell; her grandson, Michael McConnell; and her great-grandson, Isaac Wanberg. She is survived by one daughter, Jeanine Wanberg (Bob), one son,Ron Bongard; a brother, George Popa; son-in-law, Doug McConnell; along with 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Service Monday, August 20th, 11:00 A.M. at ST. MARY ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 854 Woodbridge at Atwater. Burial Oakland Cemetery. Visitation Sunday, August 19, 4-8 P.M., with a prayer service at 7 P.M., at BRADSHAW, 1078 Rice at Magnolia.
The family of Ann Bongard extends its sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers and staff of Fairview Home Health Care, Fairview Home Hospice and New Harmony Care Center. Memorials preferred in Anne's name to St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church.