Gary Edward Bergan

Gary Edward Bergan, 79, of Hawley, MN passed away on Saturday, April 13th, peacefully in his sleep at home.

Gary was born February 16, 1940 to George and Marie Bergan at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead.  He lived in Hawley almost his entire life attending Hawley schools graduating in 1958.  He also attended NDSU where he played football, baseball and wrestled for some time.

In 1961, Gary married Rose Nordgulen.  Together they farmed south of Hawley.  Gary loved farming and improving his parent’s farm that he and Rose purchased.  He loved landscaping, gardening and mowing the farm’s expansive lawn.  The rest of Gary’s time was spent on volunteering and working on many community boards, sports and keeping track of his grandsons.

Community Service was an important part of his life.  He was involved in Wild Rice Electric Co-op Board for 21 years and had served as treasurer, Square Butte Electrical Co-Op for 8 years and had served as secretary-treasurer; Midwest Dairy Association Corporate Board for 12 years; Clay County ADA Board for 20 years; Skree Township Board Chairman for 30 years; Co-chairman of the Minnesota Township Laws and Regulations Committee; CATCO serving as chairman for 16 years; Clay County Jail Planning Committee; Hawley Lions where he received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award; Breakfast on the Farm Clay County Committee and hosted the first breakfast 17 years ago; Clay County Fair Board for more than 30 years.  He looked forward to every July fair so he could spend days at the fair helping out and socializing.

When he finally sat down to rest he spent his time watching and reading about all types of sports. He very closely followed high school, college and professional sports mostly the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Twins and Vikings.  He was sharp as a tack knowing all of the players, trades and statistics. He passed on his love of sports to his grandsons, the loves of his life, Nate and Reilly Johnson, teaching them how to play baseball and football, watching all types of sports on tv with them, and calling them constantly to discuss the games of the day.  For nearly 50 years he was a season ticketholder for the Bison football games.  He played softball until he was 60 and could still hit the ball over the fence at 50.  Every fall for 43 years, Gary enjoyed working on the Chain Gang for Hawley football and was blissfully hopeful his Nuggets would win a state football championship.

He is survived by his wife, Rose; daughter, Laura (Dean) Johnson, Duluth, MN; two grandchildren, Nate and Reilly; and his sisters, Diane Rustad and Hannah Van Hook.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in law, Ron Rustad.

Visitation will be Friday, April 19, 2019 at 10:00 am followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 am at Hawley Lutheran Church in Hawley, MN. Burial will be held at later date.

Gary’s family will be donating memorials to HERT, Clay County Fair and Gary’s other favorite area service groups.