Paul Leroy Bergeson

Paul Bergeson, age 87, passed away Friday, August 30, 2024, at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN.

 Paul was born on February 14th, 1937, to Melvin and Olga Bergeson in their home on the grounds of Bergeson Nursery, near Fertile, MN. That winter saw record cold temperatures, reaching -51 degrees in January with a stretch of 45 days where the temperatures did not rise above zero. He went to school in a one-room schoolhouse near their farm, and attended high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, MN, commonly called the AC. He attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, MN, where he met Glenda Geiszler. They were married on June 30th, 1962. Paul went on to earn a Masters of Divinity at Dallas Seminary, while Glenda worked as a secretary to pay the bills.

 After seminary, Paul was hired to be the minister at Cavalier Baptist Church in Cavalier, ND, where he made many lasting friendships. He went on to serve briefly as registrar for the Winnipeg Bible College before his father Melvin called him home to take over the reins of Bergeson Nursery, where Paul and Glenda would live for the remainder of their lives.

 While glad to be free of the daily responsibilities of being minister, Paul enjoyed filling in as a guest pastor at many local churches throughout the years. He helped a local group of residents found Hope Evangelical Free Church in Fertile. Many people valued his straightforward approach to speaking from the pulpit.

 Paul continued to cultivate, plant, weed, and irrigate as the ownership of Bergeson Nursery passed to his sons. His persistent care and hard work was instrumental in building the nursery into what it is today. He worried about the things that nobody else remembered to worry about.

 Paul was preceded in passing by his brother Bob, wife Glenda, and son Eric. He is survived by his children Joe (Kae) Bergeson and Tracie Bergeson; and his siblings Ede (Orville) Lee, Lois (Dale) White, Beth (Dale) Haaland, and Rolly (Jean) Bergeson.

 A remembrance gathering for Paul and Glenda will be held at Bergeson Nursery on Sunday, September 15th, at 4:00 pm. Coffee and donuts will be served. Feel free to come early and bring a vase and scissors to cut your own bouquet from the gardens, which you can then take home to remember Paul and Glenda.