Melvyn Lloyd Bergeson, 91, Minot and formerly of Makoti, died on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in his home.

Melvyn was born on May 30, 1926 on the Bergeson homestead, rural Makoti, ND to Peter and Carrie (Olson) Bergeson. He was raised on the family farm in Orlien Township of Ward County and attended Makoti School. Melvyn helped on the farm at an early age, hauled bundles for brother-in-law\'s and neighbor\'s threshing rig; and did odd jobs around the area. He started farming in 1943, and made enough to buy two quarters of land.

Melvyn went to serve his country February 1945 ending up in the Philippines and Alaska in the Army and eventually Air Force, was honorably discharged in 1948 and returned home. He returned to Alaska where he worked at a sawmill, and returned to ND where he worked for area farmers, contractors, and other odd jobs. He also attended a trade school in Chicago.

Melvyn married Lucile Pank on July 1, 1953 in Minot. He worked on Garrison Dam that fall; they then moved to Odessa, WA, before returning to ND to farm and raise cattle. Melvyn was employed by the Ward County Highway Department for 30 years until he retired in 1992. They moved to Minot in 2010. Lucile died on February 18, 2017.

Melvyn was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, American Legion and Threshers Association, all Makoti. In retirement, he especially enjoyed woodworking, rock collecting, yard work, fishing and gardening; and later word search and jigsaw puzzles, and playing and exploring on the computer. One of his highlights was going on Roughrider Honor Flight to Washington, DC in 2011.

Melvyn's loving family includes his children: Kenneth Bergeson (Marta Nelson) of Gillette WY, Debby (Jerry) Michels of Minot, Linda (Danny) Dyke of Plaza, Lonnie (Angie) Bergeson of Plaza, Carol (Terry) Hagan of Fargo and Beth (Arlen) Patterson of Norwich; thirteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Melvyn was preceded in death by his parents, wife, children: Monte and Anita and siblings: Gladys Peterson, Marion Anderson, Mildred Peterson, Lyle Bergeson, Leonard Olson.

Celebration of the Life of Melvyn Bergeson: Later in the summer of 2018.
Booksigning/Visitation: Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 4-7 pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.