Ward Conley Bergene, 89, of rural Adams, Minnesota, died at his home on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

Ward was born during a blizzard on April 14, 1928, in Austin, Minnesota, to Oscar and Adella (Sampson) Bergene. He graduated from Adams High School, where he was the star of the basketball team and was known as “Big Red.” After high school, he attended Luther College for one year, majoring in physical education. He served in the U.S. Army military police and was stationed in Korea and Japan for 16 months. On June 19, 1955, Ward married Lois Huemoeller at the Hayward Lutheran Church.

He was a member of Little Cedar Lutheran Church and served on the church council. He served as a commander of the Adams American Legion, was a member of the Adams Rural Fire Department and served on the Board of Directors at St. Marks Care Center.

Ward worked for several years as a milkman with Huseby Dairy and later as a security guard for Hormel, but he was first and foremost a proud farmer. He was also a driver and part of the road crew for the Hormel Girls Drum and Bugle Corp. In his spare time, Ward loved to hunt, fish and golf at Cedar River Golf Course.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Adella; granddaughter, Tegan Christopherson; sister, Janet Bergene; sister-in-law, Mavis Bergene; and brother-in-law, Con Sletta.

Ward is survived by his wife, Lois Bergene, Adams; children, Bradley Bergene, Tucson, Arizona, Brian (Teresa) Bergene, Rose Creek, Minnesota, Bruce (Mary) Bergene, Elkton, Minnesota, Bettina (Allan) Christopherson, St. Michael, Minnesota, Brett (Sherri) Bergene, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Bryce Bergene, Elkton; 12 grandchildren, Nathan Bergene, Shawna Klaehn, Clinton Bergene, Daniel Bergene, Aric Bergene, Tyler Bergene, Brandon Bergene, Colton Christopherson, Hannah Bergene, Hallie Bergene, Henry Bergene, and Hogan Bergene; three great-grandchildren, Aiden Klaehn, Kelson Klaehn, and Charlie Bergene; brother, Virgil Bergene, Adams; sister, Jane Sletta, Mankato, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Kermes, Owatonna, Minnesota, Alice Huemoeller, Shoreview, Minnesota, and Pat Huemoeller, St. Paul; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 19, at Little Cedar Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jeremy Johnson officiating. Adams American Legion Post 146 will perform military honors. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at the Adams Funeral Home and at the church for one hour before the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.