Agatha was born in Chicago, IL, to Agatha Irene Bonfield and Florian Albert Schmidt. She was the youngest of 2 daughters. The Schmidt's and the Bonfield's were both prominent families in Chicago in the late 1800's and into the 1900's.
Agatha attended the University of Illinois and graduated with honors with a degree in Advertising Design in 1948. After traveling to Europe with her college friend, Joan Frintz, she obtained a job in the Catalog Art Department of Montgomery Ward in Chicago where she met Conrad Russell "Russ" Berwanger. They were married on July 12, 1952 at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
Their first child, Catherine, was born in August of 1953 and in March of 1954 they left Chicago and moved to Los Angeles, California. In July of 1955 they had a son, Mark. They were both very involved in local politics as well as local art guilds. They helped found the Friends of Madronna Marsh in Torrance as a refuge for migrating birds. Agatha was also instrumental in forming the Torrance chapter of the League of Women Voters and served as its first President.
They retired to Nipomo in 1982 and continued their involvement in community activities as in the local art guild and by helping found the Friends of Nipomo Library. Through their efforts, Nipomo received a grant for the construction of a permanent library. They also enjoyed traveling around the world with Asia being the most interest to them.
Their greatest joy, however, was their only grandchild, Kelly, the son of Catherine, born in 1985 and living only a few blocks away.
Russ passed away on June 21, 1998 and was cremated. When Agatha passed on January 1, 2010, her ashes were placed in a matching urn and both remain in the loving care of Catherine.
Agatha attended the University of Illinois and graduated with honors with a degree in Advertising Design in 1948. After traveling to Europe with her college friend, Joan Frintz, she obtained a job in the Catalog Art Department of Montgomery Ward in Chicago where she met Conrad Russell "Russ" Berwanger. They were married on July 12, 1952 at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
Their first child, Catherine, was born in August of 1953 and in March of 1954 they left Chicago and moved to Los Angeles, California. In July of 1955 they had a son, Mark. They were both very involved in local politics as well as local art guilds. They helped found the Friends of Madronna Marsh in Torrance as a refuge for migrating birds. Agatha was also instrumental in forming the Torrance chapter of the League of Women Voters and served as its first President.
They retired to Nipomo in 1982 and continued their involvement in community activities as in the local art guild and by helping found the Friends of Nipomo Library. Through their efforts, Nipomo received a grant for the construction of a permanent library. They also enjoyed traveling around the world with Asia being the most interest to them.
Their greatest joy, however, was their only grandchild, Kelly, the son of Catherine, born in 1985 and living only a few blocks away.
Russ passed away on June 21, 1998 and was cremated. When Agatha passed on January 1, 2010, her ashes were placed in a matching urn and both remain in the loving care of Catherine.
Agatha was born in Chicago, IL, to Agatha Irene Bonfield and Florian Albert Schmidt. She was the youngest of 2 daughters. The Schmidt's and the Bonfield's were both prominent families in Chicago in the late 1800's and into the 1900's.
Agatha attended the University of Illinois and graduated with honors with a degree in Advertising Design in 1948. After traveling to Europe with her college friend, Joan Frintz, she obtained a job in the Catalog Art Department of Montgomery Ward in Chicago where she met Conrad Russell "Russ" Berwanger. They were married on July 12, 1952 at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
Their first child, Catherine, was born in August of 1953 and in March of 1954 they left Chicago and moved to Los Angeles, California. In July of 1955 they had a son, Mark. They were both very involved in local politics as well as local art guilds. They helped found the Friends of Madronna Marsh in Torrance as a refuge for migrating birds. Agatha was also instrumental in forming the Torrance chapter of the League of Women Voters and served as its first President.
They retired to Nipomo in 1982 and continued their involvement in community activities as in the local art guild and by helping found the Friends of Nipomo Library. Through their efforts, Nipomo received a grant for the construction of a permanent library. They also enjoyed traveling around the world with Asia being the most interest to them.
Their greatest joy, however, was their only grandchild, Kelly, the son of Catherine, born in 1985 and living only a few blocks away.
Russ passed away on June 21, 1998 and was cremated. When Agatha passed on January 1, 2010, her ashes were placed in a matching urn and both remain in the loving care of Catherine.
Agatha attended the University of Illinois and graduated with honors with a degree in Advertising Design in 1948. After traveling to Europe with her college friend, Joan Frintz, she obtained a job in the Catalog Art Department of Montgomery Ward in Chicago where she met Conrad Russell "Russ" Berwanger. They were married on July 12, 1952 at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.
Their first child, Catherine, was born in August of 1953 and in March of 1954 they left Chicago and moved to Los Angeles, California. In July of 1955 they had a son, Mark. They were both very involved in local politics as well as local art guilds. They helped found the Friends of Madronna Marsh in Torrance as a refuge for migrating birds. Agatha was also instrumental in forming the Torrance chapter of the League of Women Voters and served as its first President.
They retired to Nipomo in 1982 and continued their involvement in community activities as in the local art guild and by helping found the Friends of Nipomo Library. Through their efforts, Nipomo received a grant for the construction of a permanent library. They also enjoyed traveling around the world with Asia being the most interest to them.
Their greatest joy, however, was their only grandchild, Kelly, the son of Catherine, born in 1985 and living only a few blocks away.
Russ passed away on June 21, 1998 and was cremated. When Agatha passed on January 1, 2010, her ashes were placed in a matching urn and both remain in the loving care of Catherine.
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