Geraldine Bergo

Geraldine Bergo, 86, of Hager City, died Sunday, October 17, 2010 at her home. She was born on May 24, 1924 in Arkansaw, Wisconsin to John and Anna (Hei) Breunig. She graduated from Arkansaw High School in 1941. In 1942 her parents sold the family farm that was located in the most beautiful setting of the Arkansaw Valley. She moved with her parents to Durand, where she was a waitress at the Ice Cream Shop. Along with her parents and Uncle Tony Hei, they traveled to Santa Monica, California in the winter of 1942. Gerry worked that winter for Douglas Aircraft and was known as Rosie the Riveter. They returned to Durand in April of 1943. She moved to Red Wing in 1945 and was employed at Red Wing Laundromat. She met her husband, Elmer "Bubby" Bergo at Mary's Supper Club and they married on July 22, 1946. At the time she helped him run his tavern called Bubby's Tavern. After having children she stayed home and raised them until she was employed at Riedell Shoe Factory for 22 years until health problems made it difficult to continue working. In 1959 they built a house and moved to Hager City. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and its Altar Society. Her family remembers how she lived for her grandchildren.

Survivors include her three children, Anna (Dennis) Helmer of Beldenville, William (Annette) Bergo of Hager City and Mary (Bob) Tharalson of Hager City; seven grandchildren, Joel Riester, Scott (Wendy) Riester, Missy (Wade) Kowalchyk, Kyle (Katie) Tharalson, Katie (Mike) Murphy. Jean (Jeff) Hartman and Becky Bergo (Joey Brunner); sister-in-law Val (Curtis) Austin and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; granddaughter, Kristen Marie Tharalson; great grandson, Joshua Robert Tharalson; sisters, Leona Manor and Winnie Bunning.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday, October 21, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth with Father Thomas Donaldson officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Red Wing. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary all at the church on Wednesday, October 20. Funeral arrangements are with the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing.