John D Bergmark
John David Bergmark, age 71, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, May 7, 2020. He passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin from a heart attack.
John was born on July 10, 1948. He was the first son of Harry and Ellen (Weigent, Zeilinger) Bergmark. John grew up on the family dairy farm on Big Hill, north of Pepin, Wisconsin. John attended Big Hill Country School through the 7th grade and then went to Pepin Public Schools, where he graduated in 1967.
John farmed with his father until Harry retired and then he took over the farm with younger brother Jim. When the family dairy farm was sold in 1997, John purchased part of the Big Hill farm as well as a neighboring farm.
John married Semone Thomas and helped raise Semone’s daughter, Penelope. After selling the dairy farm, John worked as a plumber and eventually drove trucks for the Durand Cooperative’s feed department. John, Semone and Penelope moved to a hobby farm north of Menomonie. The couple later divorced. John continued to work for the Durand (Countryside) Cooperative, but only on a part-time basis in recent years. He had just begun to enjoy retirement.
John was a hard and reliable worker. He was always ready to help his parents and siblings whenever something needed to be hauled or a strong body was required. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and recently took up bow-hunting. Venison was often in the freezer. John also did a lot of gardening. He grew sweet corn and potatoes for himself and shared much with his siblings. He liked to plant fruit trees and did a lot of apple-picking every fall. He shared fruits and vegetables with friends and family, and his kindness and generosity will be missed by all.
John was a good friend to many in the Pepin Community, and he knew a great number of farmers from his days of hauling feed. The comradery of the workers of Durand Cooperative gave him a very enjoyable work period after leaving the family farm. But in his heart, he always was a farmer.
John is survived by his brother, James (Judy) of Pepin. He is also survived by five sisters, Jean (Joe) Edlin of Stockholm, Betty Bergmark of River Falls, Karleen Walton (friend, Gary Wyrick) of Bayfield, Colorado, Janet Bergmark (Fiancé Tim Fagerstrom) of Woodbury, Minnesota and Lori Bergmark (wife Laura Fairweather) also of Woodbury. One niece and three nephews survive: Joshua Walton of Bayfield, Colorado, Natasha Walton of Denver, Colorado, Tony Edlin of Stockholm, Wisconsin and Todd Edlin of Duluth, Minnesota. John continued a friendship with Semone and her daughter Penelope Augustine of Big Lake, Minnesota, and enjoyed spending time with Penelope’s daughter Kaiya.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Scott Walton.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.