Donald H. Bergstrom

ROCHESTER — Donald H. Bergstrom, 97, of Rochester, formerly of Cushing, Minn., died Jan. 31, 2013, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Rochester. Donald Harry Bergstrom was born June 12, 1915, to Harry and Emma (Anderson) Borgstrom in rural Rail Prairie, Minn. He was raised in rural Rail Prairie. He was a graduate of Pillager Public School in Pillager, Minn. On June 10, 1939, he married Kathryne Jane Clawson in Rail Prairie and she preceded him in death in 2004. The couple farmed at Rail Prairie. He was involved in various community groups including being on the school board of the Pillager Public School. Don loved being around his grandchildren and enjoyed hunting. Since moving to Sunrise, Donald enjoyed the weekly visits of Sunny, the beagle. Donald and his wife had resided at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester since 2001.

He is survived by a son, Don “Jim” Bergstrom, and his wife, Susie, in San Clemente, Calif.; daughters, Ardy Melby, and her husband, Skip, of Clover, S.C., Irene Mlenek, and her husband, Art, of Waseca, Minn., and Sue Van Oort, and her husband, Steve, of Rochester; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Bergstrom, of Baxter, Minn.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, Kent, of Duluth, Minn.; and a sister-in-law, Adele Bergstrom, of Brooklyn Park. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Dave Bergstrom; a daughter in infancy; a grandson, Eric Bergstrom; and a brother, Gayle Bergstrom.

The family would like to thank the staff of Season’s Hospice, Sunrise Assisted Living and the Mayo Clinic for the care and compassion given to Donald.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at 2 p.m. at The Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter, Minn. Interment will follow at the Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager. Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church.

Arrangements with Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home in Rochester and Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd.

218-829-3581

www.halvorson-johnson.com