Orris Edward Bergerud

Orris Edward Bergerud passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 at a Hot Springs hospital. He was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on October 10, 1904 to Hans and Elevina Boe Bergerud. In 1928 he married Marjorie Krogstad and they had 65 wonderful years together before her death. As a young man he started a road construction company, in the late 30's he became manager of a multistate trucking company. In the 50's he semi-retired and bought a motel in Denver which was just not adventuresome enough so he moved to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to enter the citrus business. He was president and general manager of Bergerud Care Co. for 25 years. During these years he was also director and treasurer of Texas Citrus Exchange, director and treasurer of Rio Tex Citrus Association, a member of the Federal Marketing Board and a member of Texas Citrus Mutual. Mr. Bergerud was one of a group of local men that organized the citrus industry into its impressive status with material as well as technical assistance. He retired in 1983. In 1991 he moved to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He was a life long Lutheran and a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village. Orris is survived by a son, John Bergerud and wife, Carol of Burke, Virginia; a daughter, Mary Haugarth and husband, Stan of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Mark Haugarth and wife, Reba; Gail Stevenson and husband, Don; John T. Bergerud and LeAnn Cyr and husband, Steve. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Alexa, Caden, Erik, Laura, Garrett, and Paige and 6 great-great-grandchildren, Gavin, Brycen, Hunter, Sloan, Reed, and Brady. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Bergerud; his parents; a brother, Harold Bergerud and two sisters, Gertrude Nelson and Helen Putman A committal service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2009 at CedarVale Mausoleum with Pastor Leland Lochhaas officiating. In addition, a memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Christ Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to Christ Luther Church Memorial Fund, Christ Lutheran Church Radio Outreach or Lions International for the Blind.