Ernest J. "Ernie" Bergeron, 89
Melrose
July 22, 1924 - Aug. 20, 2013
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 26 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose for Ernie Bergeron who died at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud. Inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
Ernest Jerome Bergeron was born July 22, 1924 in Oklee, Minnesota to Peter and Jane Bergeron. He graduated from Oklee High School in 1942. He entered the service in the U.S. Navy and proudly served on the USS New Orleans from 1942 through 1945 during World War II. Ernie attended St. John's University as its first graduate under the GI bill in 1949. There he met the loved of his life, Eileen, whom he fondly called "Irish". They married in 1950 and raised five daughters. It was 63 years of love and commitment that marked their lives as a couple of faith, in good times and bad.
Teaching was Ernie's vocation, beginning in the early years in Oklee and completed with 32 years at Melrose High School. His contributions to his community and church of St. Mary's included leadership on many levels, in particular his service as Legion district first vice.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, and a life member of the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 and the American Legion Post 101. Ernie's loves in life encompassed family, school, home on the Sauk River, a place on Little Birch Lake, outdoors, fishing, birds, and later in life, some travels with Eileen.
The Bergeron family is very grateful to the staff at the VA Hospital in St. Cloud for their professional and compassionate care during his last ten months. And lastly, to the community of Melrose which Ernie loved, sends his blessing to all "Das ist alles".
Survivors include his wife, Eileen Bergeron of Melrose; daughters, Ann (Dennis) McCoy of Lake Crystal, Mary (Wally Westerberg) Bergeron of Clearwater, Sara (Duncan) Whyte of Wiesbaden, Germany, Amy Bergeron of St. Paul, and Paula Bergeron of Grafton, New Hampshire; six grandchildren; sister, Irene Grahek of Ely; and many nieces and nephews.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters; and granddaughter, Kathleen McCoy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
He will be missed by so many people. He meant so much to so many. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We will miss you Uncle Ernie
Bill & Jo Church
August 28, 2013
Amy and family, my sympathies to you in this difficult time and may the happy memories be with you always.
Lonna Mosow
August 24, 2013
Uncle Ernie was a man of great integrity and simplicity. He impacted many lives and I pray for your comfort as you lay him to rest. God Bless the Bergerons!
Carol Grahek
August 23, 2013
Rest in Peace Grandpa, You were everything a man should be. One day you can teach me again about history. Say hello to the big guy and my sister up there. I will miss you!
Kevin McCoy
August 23, 2013
My sympathy to the Bergeron Family. I graduated the class of 1960. Mr. Bergeron left a lasting impression on I am sure every student he taught. He truly was a teacher Melrose High could be proud of.
Jo Wensmann Hoffman
Jo Hoffman
August 23, 2013
Rest in peace
Joe Berryhill
August 23, 2013
My heart is heavy at our great loss. Eileen and family my deepest sympathy to all of you. Ernie was a wonderful man and he is in heaven with many that love him. I know he is telling his wonderful stories again. He lives forever in our memories.
Jane Berryhill
August 22, 2013
Mrs. Bergeon & family,
My sympathy to you and your family. I was in the class of 1957. He was a good teacher. God Bless You all.
Terry Behnen Drone
August 22, 2013
My deepest sympathy. I very much regret that I will not be able to attend the wake or Mass. I have another committment. He was as great as you are, Eileen. I will certainly be praying for all of you. I will lite a large candle for your intentions. God Bless You! Sister Alice Imdieke, OSB
August 22, 2013
The greatest teacher I've ever met. Strict yet understanding. A wonderful friend. He believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself. One of the great influences in my life and a man who I hope to meet again so we can discuss history, his passion and mine.
Arian Knops
August 22, 2013
Great Teacher and a kind man. He was always kind and encourageing to me. My condolance to the family. Stephen H. Koopmeiners, MD, COL (retired) - US Army.
Class of 1967
Stephen Koopmeiners
August 22, 2013
MRS BERGERON & FAMILY -- I WAS A GRADUATE OF THE CLASS OF "63 -- MR BERGERON HELPED MOLD ME INTO THE PERSON I AM TODAY - SO MANY FOND MEMORIES OF YOUR HUSBAND, DAD & GRANDDAD -- I PERHAPS COULD WRITE A BOOK WITH THE FOND & LOVING MEMORIES OF MR BERGERON THAT I WILL FOREVER -- ONE I WILL SHARE -- IN 11TH & 12TH GRADE I WAS 6' TALL -- I WAS TEMPERED BY "HIS POINTER OR THE MAP PULLER STICK HE USED -- HIS WORDS ARE FOREVER BEING SPOKEN TO ME -- "LAVONNE. I HAVE TO WALK TALL BECAUSE OF MY HEIGHT - YOU MUST WALK TALL BECAUSE OF YOUR HEIGHT!!! GOD BLESS & CHERISH YOU AS I ALWAYS WILL!!!
LAVONNE KOWSKI
August 22, 2013
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