James “Jim” Bergren

James “Jim” Bergren, age 73, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

James Neil Bergren was born on September 20, 1946 in Detroit Lakes, MN, to Walter and Luverne (Riebe) Bergren. Jim grew up on a farm in rural Audubon and attended country school at District 99 before attending high school in Audubon. While going to school, Jim drove the stagecoach for Fort Detroit. He married Cheryl Scheelk on April 15, 1967 in Duluth, MN. They made their home on a farm in rural Audubon and Jim took care of the animals at Fort Detroit and hauled milk. Jim and Cheryl started their family before moving to Lake Park, MN in 1972, where they continued farming small grains and dairy cows. They opened Hawley Farm Supply in 1981, and then in 1990, they bought the Cenex Feed Mill in Hawley and continued its operation as Hawley Farm Supply and Mill, Inc for 15 years. Cheryl passed away in 1998. Jim met Marlys Smith in 1999 and they have been life companions since. Jim later purchased a trucking business and worked various jobs at Casey’s General Store and Fargo Forum until his retirement in 2017.

Jim loved spending time at the lake, teaching his grandchildren to fish, and going on pontoon rides. He liked taking trips to Medora, ND every fall, listening to country music, and dancing with Marlys. Jim had big hands and an even bigger heart. He was known for his great sense of humor and enjoyed teasing his loved ones. He will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Teresa Bergren of Lake Park, Donna (Allen) Krueger of Dilworth, MN, and Lori (Scott) Hagen of Lake Park; son, Mike (Laura) Bergren of Lake Park; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; significant other, Marlys Smith of Arthur, ND and her children, Virginia (Justin) Hanson of Ottertail, MN, Vanessa (Dustin) Clyde of Dilworth, and Samuel (Monie) Jager of West Fargo, and her two grandchildren; brothers, Richard (Cindee) Bergren of Tulsa, OK, Tom Bergren of Lake Park, and Don (Beth) Bergren of Braham, MN; one sister, Carol (Gene) Sletmoen of Dilworth; and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Luverne Bergren; and his wife, Cheryl Bergren.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:30 P.M., with a prayer service starting at 6:30, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation starting one hour before, at First Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes at a later date.