Donald Bergem

Donald C. Bergem, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, June 20th, 2015, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
Donald was born September 14, 1924, at the farm his grandfather homesteaded in 1884. He was the son of Julius and Alma (Goldberg) Bergem. He attended country school at District 109 near Underwood and graduated from the Underwood High School in 1942. Donald was baptized and confirmed at the Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood, MN.
Donald married Dorothy Peterman of Wendell in 1946. After farming near Wendell for a number of years he pursued a career in banking, working in the Farmers State Bank of Underwood, the State Bank of Wendell, Bank of America in California, and the Fergus Falls National Bank, now Wells Fargo. In 1955 he was employed by the Federal Land Bank Association of Fergus Falls, as Assistant Manager and assumed the position of President & CEO, a position he held until his retirement in 1985. After his retirement he enjoyed hobby farming with his Allis-Chalmers tractor.

He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls since 1955. He served on the church council, active in the Boy Scouts program, former Director of Park Region Telephone Co., and past President of Sons of Norway Lodge of Underwood.

He tenderly cared for his beloved wife during her three year battle with cancer. Always devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Preceding him in death was his father Julius; his mother & step-father, Alma and Christian Moen; his wife, Dorothy Mae Bergem; infant son, Bruce; two brothers, Willmar “Bill” Bergem and Clifford (Alvina) Bergem.

Survivors include his two sons, Bradley (Barbara) Bergem of Fergus Falls and Barry (Elaine) Bergem of Battle Lake, MN.; eight grand-children, Daniel (Amy) Bergem, David (Erin) Bergem, Andrew Bergem, Christopher (Sondra) Bergem, Cynthia (Jay) Mauritson, Kyle (Tiffany) Bergem, Kayla (John) Cochems, and Adam Bergem; great grand-children, Elizabeth, Mallory, Natalie, Cameron, Brooklynn Mertz, Braeden, Leightyn, Riley, Zachary Anderson, Ryan, Louie, Kelsey, Ethan, and Christian; sister-in-law, Dell Bergem of Lakeport, CA., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tues., with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service at the Olson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Clergy: Revs. Tom Peterson and Kate Bruns
Interment: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Wendell

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN.