The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Health will be hosting a blood screening event on May 15, 16 and 17. Proceeds will go to the Bemidji Police Department’s K9 program.
Ronald Owen Bergom passed away peacefully on February 14, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN. Ron was born on July 16, 1938, in Duluth, MN to Arthur and Ida (Wendelbo) Bergom. He was raised in Grand Forks, graduating from Central High School in 1956. Ron attended the University of North Dakota as an undergraduate and completed the first two years of medical school in Grand Forks. After transferring to the University of Wisconsin he graduated from medical school in 1963. Following internship, the next 2 years were spent with the U.S. Army at the 10th General Dispensary in Frankfurt, Germany. After discharge he completed an Internal Medicine Residency and a Nephrology Fellowship in Madison, where he began private practice. He and his wife Sharon were married in 1973 and the following year they moved back to Grand Forks where he began a long career with the Grand Forks Clinic/Altru Health Systems. He had a special relationship with his patients and his medical colleagues. He was a member of the North Dakota Medical Association, Third District Medical Society, and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. The cabin on Lake Beltrami, Bemidji, was an important part of family life through the years and after retirement they built their year-round home there. While living there, Ron volunteered on medical missions to Honduras with the Bemidji Rotary Club. For health reasons, he and Sharon moved to Wisconsin in 2014 and enjoyed being closer to their children and grandchildren. In 2021 they moved to Eden Prairie, MN to be close to family. A person of many interests, his lifelong love of learning and intellectual curiosity led to a very rewarding life. He loved world travel, his friends, reading, ham radio, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and all lake related activities, plus new experiences like learning the electric guitar. He especially enjoyed his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Sharon; sons, Jeff (Julie) and Michael (Carmen); grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew, Breya, Isabel and Tess; sister, Judy (David) Raecke; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gordon; and sister-in-law, Maureen. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on March 4, 2024, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344, with visitation to begin at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to UND Medical School or Presbyterian Homes Foundation.
The following is a letter to the editor submitted by a reader and does not reflect the views of the Pioneer. Letters can be sent to letters@bemidjipioneer.com or P.O. Box 455, Bemidji, MN 56601.
The Bemidji Rotary Club and Sanford Bemidji will host their annual blood screening event from 7 to 10 a.m., Wednesday-Friday, May 17-19, at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
The following is a letter to the editor submitted by a reader and does not reflect the views of the Pioneer. Letters can be sent to letters@bemidjipioneer.com or P.O. Box 455, Bemidji, MN 56601.
Ever since the neighboring apartment building was condemned, residents in Ridgeway Courts I and II have been living in uncertainty. They know that the conditions of their buildings are not good: apartments lie abandoned, squatters drift in and out, windows are missing and broken. Everywhere they look there are signs of neglect and damage. With how bad everything has gotten, many of the residents have been expecting their buildings to be next.
In its Monday, Aug. 15, meeting, the Bemidji City Council approved a demonstration project for the intersection of Gould Avenue and First Street and accepted a quote for the second phase of the Natural Playground at North Country Park.
Marilyn Heltzer served on numerous boards, was president of the Bemidji Rotary Club, supported arts and education organizations and wrote a regular column in the Bemidji Pioneer.