Donald Robert Bergstrom Age 89, of Birchwood, WI, died Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Weston, WI after a month-long fight with failing kidneys.

His Wife of 66 years and son were at his side.

He was born on August 10, 1934 in Superior, WI to Edward and Germaine (Naeyaert) Bergstrom. Don graduated from Central High School in Superior, WI in 1952. Don started as an electrical apprentice after high school and then worked for different contractors in the Twin Ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI through theElectric Union Local 242 for many years. This year marked his 70th year as a member of the IBEW Union. He entered the United States National Guard and served for over 14 years through the Cuban Missile Crisis and Cold War years. He was married to Jeanne Blaha on October 11, 1958 in Superior, WI. Don also owned and operated a beef cattle farm which became his occupation and life passion after losing his arm in a farm accident in 1979.The loss of his arm never held him back from accomplishing anything he set out to do. He enjoyed classic cars and going to car shows and swap meets, dirt track races and drag racing, driving his 5 ton dump truck, mowing the grass, antique auctions, woodboats, airplanes and being co-pilot when his son would fly,working on the farm making hay, helping Bumper shuttle fire trucks and ambulances for service work, tractor pulls, deer hunting, ice fishing and snowmobiling. He loved going to Packer Games in Green Bay and yelling at the Packers while watching them on television at home. His many stories of years of work around the Twin Ports and Great Lakes Boats and knowledge will be missed.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Bergstrom; a son, Don “Bumper” Bergstrom; a niece, Wendy (Larry) Sprague; twonephews, Scott (Pat) Ledin, Jim Ledin.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Laura Jean Bergstrom; a brother, Charles Bergstrom; and a sister, Loretta Ledin; and three nephews, Randy Bergstrom, Gary Ledin, and Edward “Skeeter” Bergstrom.

Visitation will be held from 11AM - 1PM Friday, May 17, 2024, at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Birchwood, WI, where Military Rites will be accorded him by the Birchwood American Legion Post.

Last Update: May 13, 2024 5:24 pm CDT