David Bergmann

David M. "Dave" Bergmann, age 91 of Melrose, died peacefully on Monday, February 16, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose.

David Michael Bergmann was born December 3, 1923 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to John and Hilda (Bruns) Bergmann. Dave graduated from Melrose High School in 1940 and upon graduation hitch-hiked with two buddies to North Dakota where they worked picking potatoes. At the completion of potato season he headed south to Iowa where he picked corn (in knee-high snow). He joined the CCC camps and worked for the forestry department planting trees and taking the deer census. The adventure continued to Oregon where he lived with his uncle and worked as a welder in the shipyards. He had an opportunity to go to radio school and later became the chief radio operator of the largest hospital ship that the U.S. had. He continued to work on ships until 1952 when he moved to Oakland, California. There he was employed by the General Motors Corporation. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II and Korea. He was united in marriage to Ona "Blanche" Collins on March 23, 1972 in Reno, Nevada.

In 1971, Minnesota called Dave home and he, with his brother Loren, purchased the Avon Ballroom and Midwest Automatic Parts. The ballroom was sold in 1975 to Erv Schiffler but he continued to run Midwest Automatic Parts until his retirement.

Dave's special interests and love for travel led him on many trips throughout the world, but the ones that were most dear to him were those to Germany. He made many trips to Germany looking for and visiting with relatives. Other interests included golf, cards, especially cribbage with his friends, world and local news, telling stories of years past, visiting with family and friends, spending time at the "Ranch", and caring for his furry friends.

For those that did not know Dave personally, you may have known his van. The crazy orange van that you could often find parked on main street in Melrose throughout the years.

Survivors include his very special friend, Lois Schanhaar of Melrose; brothers and sisters, Duane Bergmann of Grand Rapids, LaVerne (Ed) Duclos of Big Birch Lake, Joan Haws (Bill McDermond) of Little Birch Lake, Ken (Marilyn) Bergmann of Big Birch Lake, Audrey Westbrook of Savage, and Jan Gibbons of St. Anna; sister-in-law, Sally Bergmann of Albany; brother-in-law, Don Lambrecht of Big Birch Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Ona "Blanche" Bergmann on August 25, 1994; parents; brothers and sisters, Irene Lee, Norma Bergmann, Melvin Bergmann, Eugene Bergmann, Loren Bergmann, Ellen Lambrecht, and Darlene Schiffler.