Erna D. Richards

1924 - 2021

COOPERSTOWN – Erna D. Richards, forever remembered for her love of her family and her Norwegian heritage, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family early Friday morning, August 27, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Roseboom. She was 97.

Born May 6, 1924, in Alversund, Norway, Erna Dagny Hovik was the youngest child of Hans Knutsen Hovik and Hanna Teodora Ekeland Hovik. At the age of four, she and her family immigrated to the United States and settled on Long Island. She grew up in Huntington, and always enjoyed telling stories of the fun times she had while growing up there. 

She was first married to Thorbjorn “Toby” Haugland Bergene and they had four children: Theodore, Gregory, Steven, and Katrina. Following their divorce, Erna met and married Bruce J. Richards, a Cooperstown Native Son, and they enjoyed 25 years of marriage until his sudden passing on May 8, 1999. 

Erna started her working life at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City, and then spent the remainder of her career in the food services department at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. 

Always proud of her Norwegian heritage, she loved sharing stories of her native land. She was a spirited Viking woman who was known as mom, grandma and GG!

The most important part of Erna’s life was her family. She loved them more than words can state.  She always wanted what was best for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A caring person, she was always looking out for everyone’s best interests, and wanted everyone to be happy and healthy. She was truly an amazing person who will be thoroughly missed by every life she touched. 

Erna is survived by her four children, Theodore H. Bergene and wife, Mary of Oswego, Gregory Bergene and wife, Susan of Cooperstown, Steven T. Bergene and wife, Jeannette of Apex, North Carolina, and Katrina A. Cade and husband, Stanley of Roseboom; 11 grandchildren, Christopher Bergene and wife, Sara, Jon Bergene and companion, Amy Glerum, and Kimberly Franzt and husband, Dennis, Kristin Ellen Bergene and fiancĂ©e James McDonald,  Hanna Joy Bergene and partner, Henry Bauer, Karissa Dagny Bergene, Kayley Rane Bergene and Kyle Thor Bergene, and Kassandra Cade-Laymon and husband, Craig, Joshua Cade and wife, Amanda, and Tyler Cade and wife, Erica; and 12 great-grandchildren, Collin and Brianna, Jenna and Mia, Sydney and Dennis, Caden and Eliana, Kristopher and Hunter, and Addilynn and Decan. 

Two step daughters, Deborah Lints and Mary Killmeier and their family further survive her.

Her parents and all of her siblings preceded her in death; she was the youngest. 

Friends may call and pay their respects from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, with Rev. Ronald Fralick officiating. Interment will follow in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek. 

Memorial donations may be directed to the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown. 


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Deborah Jean Masin

1954 - 2021

HARTWICK – Deborah Jean Masin, a devoted and faithful Christian, went to be with her Lord Tuesday night, August 3, 2021, following her unexpected death at her home in Hartwick on the 15th anniversary of her mother’s passing. She was 67.

Born July 19, 1954, on Long Island, Debbie was one of four daughters of Edward F. and Helen Elizabeth (Wahrer) Masin. 

In the 1960s, Debbie and her family moved to upstate New York and settled in Westford. Debbie graduated with honors from the Andrew S. Draper Central School in Schenevus with the Class of 1972. She later resided in Hartwick where she has lived ever since.

She had a steadfast devotion to the Lord, and was associated with Community Bible Chapel in Toddsville. 

Debbie is survived by her two daughters, Tammy A. Duncan of Cooperstown and Rebekah H.  Janitz and her husband, Stephen of Hartwick Seminary; three grandchildren, Paige L. Duncan (age 26), Alexandra N. Janitz (age 23), and Brittney T. Janitz (age 20) and her husband, Harold Janitz; one great grandson, Raiden M. Majau (age 1); three sisters, Kathleen Work and her husband, the Rev. Donald Work of Dickinson Center, Elizabeth Benick of Rochester, and Laura A. Alley and her husband, Ralph, of Hartwick; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her mother, Helen Elizabeth Masin, who died August 3, 2006, and her father, Edward F. Masin, who died June 23, 2006.

A graveside service will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Hartwick Cemetery, with Pastor Jack Klosheim of Community Bible Chapel officiating. 

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.