John Bergan

john bergan
Remembering the life of John Arnold Bergan John Arnold Bergan was born on April 14, 1944, and was the youngest child born to Arnold K. Bergan and Myrtle (Kloster) Bergan of rural Sharon, ND. Many of John’s early years in elementary school were taught by his mother Myrtle, who was a school teacher for many years in Sharon. John enjoyed basketball and fishing with his father and worked as a farm hand through high school, graduating from Sharon High School in 1962. John attended the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. On November 10, 1964, John was married to Lois Yvonne Smith of Aneta, ND, in Biloxi, MS where John was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. John was transferred to Brindisi, Italy and Lois followed him there. Later they lived in San Antonio, TX until John was discharged from the military in September 1968. John began a career with Supervalu Inc. that led to them to living in West Fargo, ND; Fort Wayne, IN; Bismarck, ND; Minneapolis, MN and Fargo, ND, where they lived since 2002. John spent over 38 dedicated years with Supervalu, not counting his early meat cutting days at Dahl’s Supervalu in Fargo, ND. After Lois passed in 2007, John was reunited with a long-time friend, Claudia (Steedsman) Halverson, whom he married in October 2010, and made their home in Fargo, ND. After retirement in early 2014, John enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, golfing and traveling to vacation locations such as the Black Hills and Hawaii, as well as visiting family and relatives. John is survived by his wife, Claudia; two sons, Commander (retired) Shawn (Sondra) Bergan of Fargo, ND and Derek (Minda) Bergan of East Wenatchee, WA; one daughter, Shannon Lipinoga of Brooklyn Park, MN; nine grandchildren, CaSandra and Kayla Bergan of Fargo, Riley, Drew and Emma Bergan of Washington, Corynne, Michael, Jenna, and Nicole Lipinoga of Minnesota; one sister, Kay (Dennis) Netland of Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. The funeral service will held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Olivet Lutheran Church with visitation one hour before the funeral. Burial will follow the funeral at Silent Hill Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. in Aenta, ND.

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  1. So very sorry for the loss of this Great Man, my Uncle, John Bergan. I also am very sorry to say that I will not be able to attend his funeral and help share the grief of my family and all of my extended family. I will keep you all in my heart and prayers in the days to come. Take comfort in knowing that now John will reside forever in the House of the Lord.

  2. Sorry to hear the news of John’s Passing. I worked with John at SUPERVALU for many years and he always had a passion for helping our customers and for everyone he worked with on the team. His heart never left North Dakota and I was so glad to hear that he finally got back to Fargo and was able to enjoy the state he loved in his final years.

  3. John was one of the kindess and nicest people I have EVER met, I never heard him say a negative word about anything or anyone.
    Deepest condolences to John’s family and his wonderful wife Claudia

  4. To the family of John Bergan:

    Remembering cousin John brings back wonderful childhood memories during our time in Sharon. Our adult lives took us in many different directions, but hearing updates by family members, attests that his life was plentiful and sincere. He will be long remembered and forever missed.

  5. I had the privilege and honor of working with John for many years. John had a stellar work ethic and took great pride in that he did.
    To his family, John shared with me many times how proud he was of you.
    We will miss a very good man.
    God bless

    Rick Roush

  6. Shawn, Shannon, Derek,
    Very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of both your mom and dad from the Supervalu days to living across the street on Reno. John always had a smile on his face. Prayers to your families during this difficult time.

    Bryan

  7. To Claudia, family and Kay & Dennis: So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Although a few years older, I remember being so impressed walking the streets of Sharon with a guy in a purple and white letterman’s jacket. When I was 8, he gave me his “true” English Racing bike with a slim frame and front headlight generator and it made me the envy of all of my buds in Mayville. He will always be remembered by our family as a man of smiles and best wishes. Cousin Greg Bergan and family.

  8. I would like to express my condolences to John’s family. I had the special privilege of hunting with John several years ago with the Lerol’s at the Smith farm near Sharon. I can honestly say they were some of the best times hunting I have ever had. We had some great experiences that I still reflect upon today and smile. John was just a super guy who easily became a good friend. We harvested several deer and I am still amazed at the skill he displayed when it came time to cut and wrap the meat. He was the best I have ever seen. Rest in peace John, again my sympathy to you all at the passing of this good man. God Bless.

  9. I worked with John at the Fargo Division of SuperValu for a number of years. Sadly, we have not stayed in touch – a situation that I regret. John had a very sincere attitude and a wonderful sense of humor.
    John and I had the misfortune of serving as “temporary truckdrivers” during a strike in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and spent a week in the cab together stumbling around Indiana, Michigan and Ohio making deliveries – a time I will never forget. We also spent time in the wilds of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area – I still tell stories to friends about our run-in with a bear.
    Rest in peace John – and thanks for the memories.

  10. I worked with John at supervalu Bismarck. He was a quiet hard workingman, don’t remember him saying a bad word about anyone. It was my honor to know him. I remember his kids while they were growing up, they were great kids and adored their dad.

  11. Sorry for your loss, I worked with John at the Bismarck office of Supervalu. He always had a joke or fun thing to say, will always remember him for that smile of his and his easy going nature. May he rest in peace and you find comfort in the wonderful memories he created.

  12. I’m shocked and honored to knowing John. He was my boss and then my friend for several years. I will miss our yearly contact and his friendship. Very sorry to hear of your loss. I was out of the country when this happened and would have been honored to attend his funeral.

  13. John was my Boss at the Region in Minneapolis. No better boss could a person have. Always understanding,and fair. He will be greatly missed by all. Sorry I’m late with this Just found out at the SV golf outing in Fargo I was traveling at the time of his death. My condolences to the family.

  14. John and Claudia were my first ever usuals at my first job when I was just 15. I love both of them dearly. I called them my adopted grandparents <3. John was literally like my own grandpa. We had close birthdays his on the 14th and mine on the 20th. We had lunch every Saturday and occasional sundays together. He'd get so excited telling me about the WWII airplane tour he went on. I didn't hear of his passing until the end of July/ August. I wish I would've known, I would've been right next to Claudia. He was the best guy figure I've had in my life and so thankful I got to spend 4 years of my life knowing him, listening to all of his stories, and laughing as much as I did with them. I was blessed and truly honored to have him in my life, and meet such a wonderful man, and to take the role of my grandpa I am so happy I met him, shared 4 years with him and get the best bear hugs around by him. I would've been honored to attend his funeral. I want to send love and prayers to Claudia and his family. I love you. xoxo


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