Duane Bergan

    Duane Bergan, age 76, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
     Duane M. Bergan was born on July 12, 1935, at his parents’ home in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, Decorah, the son of Orval and Adeline (Haugen) Bergan.  Duane was baptized on Aug. 4, 1935, by the Rev. Paul Koren and was confirmed on May 14, 1950, both at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.

    Duane was a member of the Springfield Chore Boys 4-H Club and the Decorah FFA Chapter. He attended Nordness Country School and graduated from Decorah High School in 1954. Duane served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57.  After the service, he returned to Decorah where he farmed with his father and then with his brother, Daryl, near Hesper. Duane was united in marriage to Cheryl Ellingson on March 9, 1963, at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. Duane worked for UPS from 1965-95, where he was an accident free driver for 30 years, which earned him a spot as one of 30 drivers in the UPS Hall of Fame.  Duane served on the Winneshiek County Fair Board and Auxiliary Board for 18 years, and worked as grounds keeper. He spent countless hours mowing, fixing and painting at the fairgrounds. He stepped down in 2007, due to health reasons.  On July 12, 2011, Duane received the Distinguished Service award from the Winneshiek County Fair Board; the 4-H Alumni Award in 1998; and the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.  Duane was well known for supporting and attending most Decorah and Luther sporting events.  He also was an avid supporter of the Twins, Hawkeyes, Panthers, and Packers. Duane enjoyed bowling, playing cards with their card clubs and at the VFW.  Duane was a life-long member of the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.
     Duane is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bergan, Decorah; his two children, Debbie (Bruce) Cook, Ventura, and Marc (Kim) Bergan, Baldwin City, Kan.; four grandchildren, David and Bryant Cook; and Sydney and Avery Bergan; one brother, Daryl (Donna) Bergan, Decorah,; three sisters, Elaine (Jerry) Gipp, Decorah, Linda (Stuart) Collins, Burnsville, Minn., and Donna Gavle, Decorah; three brothers-in-law, Norvin Anderson, Decorah, Tilman (Lorena) Ellingson, Decorah, and Eddie Shelby, Davis Station, S.C.; three sisters-in-law, Kathleen (Calvin) Snitker, Waukon, Iowa, Sandra Pierce, Sacramento, Calif., and Mary Ellingson, Decorah, along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
     Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Adeline (Haugen) Bergan; his granddaughter, Alexandra Bergan, on Dec. 5, 2008; one sister, Diane Anderson, on April 20, 2009; his father and mother-in-law, Harris and Henrietta (Hendrickson) Ellingson; three brothers-in-law, Mervin Ellingson, Darrell Pierce and Orval Ellingson; two sisters-in-law, Adelaide Shelby and Esther (Willard) Grotegut.
    Schluter – Balik Funeral Home of Decorah was in charge of arrangements.