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 Gerald
Glenn Bergquist passed away peacefully April 11,
2008, at the Hospice Care Center.
He was born July 2, 1929, in Rhame, N.D., to Oscar
and Erma (Irons) Bergquist. He attended Kessler and
Catlin grade schools and was a 1947 graduate of
Kelso High School.
Mr. Bergquist owned and operated many local taverns,
including The Shamrock, Twin City and Sea-Hag in
Ilwaco and also built Porky's. He was an installer
for several years with Bell Telephone.
Jerry belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church, was a
longtime member of the Elks Lodge and was a member
of the Lower Columbia Officials Association. He
enjoyed golf, fishing, the beach, spending time with
his buddies and playing a lot of softball as a
catcher. He later played on, and sponsored, several
tavern softball teams.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his
wife, Harriet "Hattielou" (Thompson) Bergquist in
1999.
Mr. Bergquist is survived by two brothers, Gale
(Charlene) Bergquist of Portland and Dean Bergquist
of Renton, Wash.; six sisters, Elaine (Bob) Belding
of Medford, Ore., June (Pete) Mason of Kelso,
Juanita (John) Moses of Kalama, ElsieMaye (Roy)
Eastlick of Longview, Karleen (Arnold) Hallin of
Central Point, Ore., and Becky (Jerry) Farless of
Springfield, Ore.; two sisters-in-law, Claire and
Bobbie Klahn; and numerous nieces and nephews,
including Lori and her husband, Steve.
Jerry was a kind and caring person who touched many
lives, never having a bad word to say about anyone.
He was always willing to help someone in need. Jerry
enjoyed sports at every level. When he was younger,
if he wasn't playing, he would be refereeing the
game. Softball at the YMCA park was a huge part of
his life. As the years went by, he became the coach
and sponsor, not only of teams he was involved with,
but helping other teams at every level. Jerry is a
member of the Washington Softball Hall of Fame and
received awards for 40 years of refereeing football
and basketball. Jerry and his very close friend of
many years, Bill Cheatly, were the first two picked
from SW Washington to officiate the state tourney in
1974 at the Kingdome in Seattle. When Jerry was
active in the tavern, he played pool and
shuffleboard, and became a member of the
Shuffleboard Hall of Fame, playing against some of
the best players in the country.
Buddy, as he was called by his brothers and sister,
always looked forward to Tuesdays for the Bergquist
family breakfast and the annual Bergquist family
picnic. On Thursdays his sister, Elsie Maye, would
stop by to visit, then it was off to the Elks with
his sister, Nita and brother-in-law, John. Jerry
went on numerous fishing trips with good friends Tim
Norton, Russ Kallwick, Butch Geissler and Lonnie
Hage and too many more to mention. Sometimes they
even brought home fish. Jerry had a special bond
with his niece Lori, her husband, Steve and his
sister-in-law, Claire. He looked forward to holiday
family gatherings.
A lot of friends called him "Bergy". He had a few
nick names he would use as well. If he said, "Hey
Tiger" or "Hi Porky", "How are you doing Pork Chop"
he considered you a friend.
Jerry Bergquist was a great man, and he will be
missed.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at
Bunkerhill Cemetery with Pastor Robert C. Giles
officiating. A celebration of his life will follow
from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at The Shamrock Tavern.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community
Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA
98632 or the Parkinsons Disease Foundation, Division
of Neurology, RG-27 University of Washington, 98105.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of
Columbia Funeral Service.
Published in The Daily News on
4/15/2008.
View/Sign Jerry Bergquist's Guest Book
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