Cecil Bergquist

Cecil was born January 10, 1922 to Willie and Nellie (Bakke) Bergquist in Detroit Lakes, MN. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school near Augustana Lutheran Church. On February 27, 1945, Cecil was called to serve his country in the United States Army, serving overseas in the Philippines during WWII until his honorable discharge on May 4, 1946. Cecil was united in marriage to Marge Stillinger in Detroit Lakes on September 30, 1950. They moved to Moorhead, MN where for eight years Cecil worked for Consolidated Freightways as an over the road trucker. In 1957, Cecil and Marge moved southwest of Detroit Lakes purchasing the farm from Marge’s aunt and uncle and naming it Skyline Farm, where they received the Century Farm Award in 2002. This would be the place they would live, work and raise their family together.  In addition to raising dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, sheep and yearly crops, Cecil was extremely active in the Becker county area. He served as Becker County Commissioner for 16 years. He also volunteered his time as a 4-H Leader, Meals on Wheels and a number of boards which included, Airport Commission, Soil and Water Conservation District, Sunnyside Nursing Home, Wisconsin Feeder Pig Marketing Coop, Lake Park Coop, Audubon Elevator, NFO, Farmers Union, Becker County DFL and Augustana Church Council. In 1961, Cecil received the Soil & Water Conservation award, and in 1967 the Valley Farmer award. He proudly received recognition for time served on the Multi County Board of Health from 1977-1987 and Mahube Community Council from 1984 until 1985. Cecil enjoyed his square dance group and the Sons of Norway dance group. His sporting interests were curling, bowling and baseball and in his spare time you would often find him reading a Louis L’Amour novel.  Cecil battled two bouts of cancer that brought him down but it never took away his zest for life. Cecil was an honest and hard working man, devoted husband, father, grandfather and provider to his family.  His love for friends, family and community will be missed but never forgotten.

He will be remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Marge Bergquist of Detroit Lakes, son: Brad (Shirley) Bergquist of Detroit Lakes, daughter; Lori (Art) Bjorkman of Afton, MN and five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and 22 godchildren. He is also survived by two brothers: Ralph Bergquist of Detroit Lakes, Charles (Mardella) Bergquist of Colorado Springs, CO, three sisters: Inez Haagenson of Detroit Lakes, Marge (Les) Laffen of Fargo, ND and Carol (Larry) Fast of Champlain, MN and sister-in-law Phyllis Bergquist of Detroit Lakes.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother; Wilferd “Bill” Bergquist, sisters; Arlys Lindblad and Doris Jones.