Laura Diane "Wright" Bergen

Laura Diane Wright Bergen (née Wright) of Duluth, MN passed away peacefully at the age of 47 on October 2, 2025, in Duluth.

Laura was born on October 12, 1977 in North Platte NE, and graduated from Fargo South High in 1995. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1999.

For more than 20 years, Laura worked for Grandma's Marathon, holding multiple roles. She brought her energy, creativity, and knack for planning into all aspects of her job, including customer service. If someone with a testy personality called, the phone was always handed straight to Laura.

Laura and Patrick met in 1995 while running track and cross country at UMD. They started dating in 2000 and were married on April 14, 2007. Patrick and Laura complemented each other. Laura provided the direction and purpose Patrick clearly lacked. She was not good at turning off lights or breaking down cardboard boxes, he was.

They have three amazing kids, Margaret (musician, artist, always tells you when you're speeding), Max (football and track, gamer, always tells you when you're out of ice cream), and Hazel (dancer, sassy, always knows exactly what to add to enhance the vibe).

In December 2021 Laura was diagnosed with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. She endured numerous treatments, surgeries, and complications with determination, humor, and positivity. The first thing she told Patrick after her diagnosis: "Your family gatherings are going to suck without Matt and me there."

Even as she faced challenges of her illness, Laura remained the steady center of her family's life. She kept the household moving, enjoyed her kids' events, and planned innumerable trips and concerts. She lived as fully and as normally as she could with the same strength and spirit that shaped her whole life.

Laura was fiery, the most fun person in any room, infusion center, or bar. And she loved cheese.

Laura is survived by her husband, Patrick; their three children: Margaret, Max, and Hazel; her parents, John and Paula Wright (née Diemert); sisters, Amy (Jon) Kennelly and Emily (Kevin) Berg; and numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends who will miss her dearly. Laura was preceded in death by her mother, Diane Wright (née Cardin); uncle, Dr. Richard Wright; aunt, Pat Jablonski; aunt, Nancy Wright; cousin, Mary Pat Parkman; brother-in-law, Matt Bergen; and close family friend, Dave Rathbun.

A celebration of life will be held at Hoops Brewing Company, 325 S. Lake Ave., Duluth, at 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 12th. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13th at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. 4th St., Duluth, with 10:00 AM Visitation and 11:00 AM Service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a college fund established for Laura's children. Please visit https://gofund.me/4e3e64306 to contribute. Checks made to Scholar's Edge are also an option.