Marvin Bergstrom, 80, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, in Santa Maria, Calif., losing his long battle with Alzheimerís disease.

Marv was born on May 15, 1926 in Rush City, Minn. to Henry and Esther Bergstrom. Marv was raised in Rush City delivering milk for Herman Jacobson and worked on the Wenstrom farm in St. James. He attended Rush City High School and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. In his senior year, prior to graduating from high school in 1944, Marv enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving in World War II and Korea.

After his discharge in 1946, he attended St. Cloud University and graduated in 1951 with a bachelorís degree. Marv was recalled to the Air Force Reserves during the Korean conflict, playing ball for the team at March Air Field.

Marv met and married Marie ìNunieî Knotts in 1952 and lived in California thereafter with frequent summer visits to Minnesota. He worked alongside her brothers, George and Fred, bartending and barbecuing at their new restaurant, Jockoís. Marv became a teacher in 1953, teaching eighth grade in Pismo Beach. Moving on to teach in Santa Maria, he played basketball for the Golden Dukes and taught at Orcutt Junior High School.

During his years of teaching, he taught driverís education and coached basketball, cross country and the first golf team at Ventura High School. Marvís teaching career led him to Ventura College, where he began as a counselor, eventually becoming the dean of admissions and records.

Marv played in many golf tournaments in his day, never missing a Saturday morning tee time with ìthe Dawn Patrolî at Soule Park. He retired in 1985, later moving to Hemet, Calif., where he enjoyed his retirement living at a golf course.

Marv is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Jo Bergstrom, and their children, Heidi, Carly, Jimmy and Patty all of Santa Maria, Calif.; daughter, Kris Bergstrom of Ventura, Calif.; sister, La Vone Moffatt of Ventura, Calif.; sister-in-law, Elaine Bergstrom of Eden Prairie, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, former wife, Marie (Knotts) Bergstrom in March of this year; and his younger brother, Don, who died in 1982.

The family gratefully acknowledges the staff at Country Oaks Care Center. They took outstanding care of him and helped to make Marvís final years full and happy.

At his request, Marv will be placed at rest with his father in the Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City, Minn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimerís Association, 2024 De La Vina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93015.

Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral
Home and Crematory in Santa Maria, Calif.

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