Ralph F. Bergeland

My deepest sympathies to the the Bergeland family.

My very favorite and fondest memory, one we often chuckled about together, was made in October of 1997. I took our daughter Betsy, our son Matt and Betsy's friend Mallory to Brooklyn during our school fall break. Uncle Ralph was always inviting us to come visit the Wisconsin farm. We spent time visiting and then headed out with Russell to the barn to see the horses. Uncle Ralph wanted us to take a buggy ride with him, so Russell hitched the horses to what I think was Uncle Ralph's oldest buggy. We headed down the road a mile or so...all 4 of us enjoying our first time in a real buggy! Rather than go to the next driveway to turn around, Uncle Ralph decided to turn the buggy around in the road. This buggy was so old that it did not have the kind of guard that prevents the buggy from turning too tight. Well, the turn was too tight and the buggy, as if in slow motion, tipped over. I distinctly remember us slowly jumping out, one at a time, without landing on each other. Thank goodness, the horse stood there calmly as all of this happened. Uncle Ralph was so apologetic and concerned about our fall. The kids and I were laughing so hard, as it was such an unusual and funny experience! We lifted the buggy upright, climbed back in,proceeded into a field to make a wider turn-around and then headed back to the farm. I am pretty sure that we were a part of one of Uncle Ralph's most memorable buggy rides! This story has been told by me, our kids and Mallory over and over again, with a lot of chuckles accompanying it! Uncle Ralph was a good, kind man, and he will be missed by the generations of Bergelands that were blessed to know him!

I was working at The Bank of Oregon in the early 80's and remember Ralph coming to do his banking. He was polite and kind. A handsome man. To this day I have thought of him and feel blessed to have been a minute part of his life

Uncle Ralph will be deeply missed; he was such a caring and thoughtful man.

Anita, This is to express our deepest sympathies for the passing of Uncle Ralph. We wish you and your entire family peace and solace during this time. One memory that stands out for me is when I sat next to Uncle Ralph at one point during the wine country bus tour in Napa several years ago. He shared a story with me about his time in WWII. I will always remember that. He personified the Greatest Generation. Love, Brad and Melanie Bergeland