Carl Bergan

Carl Marvin Bergan took his last breath here on Earth on 11/11/2024 with his family by his side in the home he built for them.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Orleans Lutheran Church, 2969 Co Rd W14, Cresco, IA 52136 with Rev. Nathan Wicks presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
A celebration of life will be held for Carl following the funeral service from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., at the Ridgeway Community Center, 690 County Street, Ridgeway, IA 52165.
Carl was born October 13, 1969, in Decorah, Iowa, to Marvin and Maxine (Roher). He was baptized and confirmed at Orleans Lutheran Church. Carl graduated from Crestwood High School in 1989, where he excelled in cross country and track, a tradition he passed along to his daughters.
He met the love of his life, Rhonda (Maroushek), and they married on August 14, 1999, in Ridgeway, IA. They were blessed with two beautiful girls, Abbie and Ella.
Carl was a hard-working man, willing to help out anybody and more importantly, willing to talk to anybody within earshot. Whether it was over a beer at a local brewery, running into someone while out fishing, or striking up a conversation just about anywhere. Carl could chat with anybody willing to listen; as long as they had the time to visit, he made the time for them.
His hard work ethic was evident in the home he built for his family. He dreamed of building a log cabin and put in hours and hours of work to make that a reality. The house he built was full of love, all due to knowing how much effort he put into it. He was always willing to host family functions and was excited to share what he would make for the meal and give step-by-step instructions on how he made it and what ingredients he used. He also ensured that everyone in attendance would be trying whatever food or fermented malt beverage he developed.
Carl's working career started at an early age as a young farmer, helping his dad with whatever chores were needed and then farming with neighbors and friends. He later tried his hand at machine work, operating first in Cresco, then working at Decorah Tool & Die, where he developed a close bond with those who worked by his side. He appreciated having his work friends come to visit him after he was unable to work to be able to talk about their employment day and current machining projects.
Throughout his short but meaningful life, church was a staple for him. He often joked that he was on Church Council for more years than he wasn't. Orleans Lutheran Church and the Ridgeway Lutheran Parish were more to him than just a Sunday service; he wanted to ensure that a small community parish would be there for years to come.
Family vacations for many years included a week spent in Hayward, Wisconsin, first taking his dad there frequently, then being able to share the lake-front time with his own family. Carl was often the first to get up in the morning (because that's when the fish are biting), until late in the day, only coming back to the cabin to throw some food on the charcoal grill or to take his girls to the candy store downtown. But as soon as we were back to the cabin, you could be sure that he grabbed his fishing pole and his girls to take them out to various fishing locations.
His most significant accomplishments in life were his daughters. He taught them both to fish (even if he had to bait the leeches or take the fish off the hook for them until they could brave it themselves). Not only was he their personal fishing guide, but he was also their number-one cheerleader. He was sure to be at every event and was never afraid to voice his opinion (very loudly) at a bad call at their games, much to his daughter's embarrassment.
On April 19, 2023, it was discovered Carl had a brain tumor, later diagnosed as Glioblastoma. We knew this type of cancer was going to be a fight, but knowing Carl, a fight was what was going to happen. He battled relentlessly and was willing to try anything the Mayo Clinic doctors threw at him. When all treatment options were exhausted, Carl and his family made the decision to focus on the remaining time God allowed them to be together.
Once Carl decided to focus on his time left, Howard County Hospice was called. Not only did they support Carl through his needs, but they were also available as listening ears and crying shoulders for Rhonda and his girls. The Hospice team is to be commended for the caring support they provided.
Glioblastoma didn't take Carl; Carl took glioblastoma and showed it how to put up a fight and how a person can be just as stubborn as the disease. Most of all, he showed the rest of us that through thick and thin, love will overcome all.
He is survived and will be truly missed by his wife Rhonda, daughters Abbie and Ella, his best friend Buddy (his black lab); his mother Maxine (Norman) Quam; siblings Debbie (Terry) Barger, nieces Missy (Ryan) Gripp, Tiffany (Ryan) Holtgraves, Jen (Matt) Smith; Glenn Spalding and nieces Rachel and Mara; Kathy (David) Cotant and nieces Dana and Whitney, nephew Nate (Michelle) Cotant; Charlene (Wade) Beavers and niece Shelby (David) Brust, nephews Caleb, and Carson; Kevin (Sonoko) Barnett; his father-in-law Bob Maroushek; sister-in-law Dawn (Nic) Doughan, and many, many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Marvin Bergan; twin sisters Dawn and Donna; grandparents, Leona Roher, Mabel and Carl N. Bergan; and mother-in-law Phyllis Maroushek.