Darlene A. (Dahl) Bergeson was born September 2, 1937, in Canby, MN, the daughter of Lloyd and Louise (Hart) Dahl. She was baptized on December 12, 1937, and confirmed on May 21, 1950, at the Providence Valley Lutheran Church, rural Dawson. She attended the Dawson Public Schools and graduated in 1954.
On September 11, 1954, Darlene was united in marriage to Jerome N. Bergeson at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dawson. To this union, three children were born: Cathy, Bruce, and Connie. After their marriage, they farmed in rural Dawson and Darlene worked at the Dawson-Boyd School for 31 years. Her job was very special to her because of the many friendships formed.
Darlene was a member of the Sunrise Chapter #72 of the Eastern Star, having served as Worthy Matron. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she was active in circle and served on the Stewardship Board. Darlene enjoyed sewing and playing cards and also loved camping, fishing, and going to the lake. Her greatest joy was being with her family and she will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Following a long battle with cancer, Darlene died on Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson, at the age of 60 years, 4 months, and 11 days.
She is survived by her husband, Jerome Bergeson of rural Dawson; children: Cathy Michels and husband, Jim, Bruce Bergeson and wife, Diane, and Connie Anderson and husband, Terry, and grandchildren: Eric, Amber, and Darin Michels, Sara, Jillian, and Colin Bergeson, and Ashley, Ryan, and Matthew Anderson, all of Dawson; parents, Lloyd and Louise Dahl of Dawson; sisters: Geraldyne Turner and husband, Marv, of Dawson and Joanne Nelson and husband, Larry, of Canby; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Albert and Minnie Dahl and John and Olive Hart; father and mother-in-law, Noble and Josephine Bergeson; and brothers-in-law: Curtis Kittelson and Kenneth Bergeson, and Paul Nelson.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 am, on Saturday, January 17, 1998, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson with Pastor's Kendall Stelter and Paul Christopher officiating. Vocal soloist, David Gamble, sang "Angels Among Us" and "Take My Hand, Precious Lord." Special tributes were by grandson, Eric Michels, and school superintendent, Brad Madsen. The congregational hymns of "Here I Am Lord" and "Borning Cry" were accompanied by the organist, Jeanne Peterson. The honorary casketbearers were grandchildren, Eric, Amber, and Darin Michels, Sara, Jillian, and Colin Bergeson, and Ashley, Ryan, and Matthew Anderson. The active casketbearers were Sheldon Kittelson, Leon Benson, Don Mork, Gary Nelson, Greg Mork, Chad Nelson, and Steve Helgeson. The burial was in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Dawson.