Richard W. Bergstrom, age 80, of Austin died Thursday, June 27, 2002, at his home.

Richard was born June 4,1922, in Austin, the son of William and Myrtle (Reynolds) Bergstrom. He was baptized and confirmed at the Moscow Lutheran Church and attended school in the Austin area. He was married to Eunice Underland on July 25, 1941, at the Moscow Lutheran Church. They resided in the Oakland-Moscow area until moving to Austin 30 years ago when their oldest son Jerry began farming the home farm. He owned and operated Bergstrom Livestock Equipment which was located in the former Oakland Creamery. Due to declining health he sold the business in 2001. The later years were spent visiting with his many friends that stopped by the shop just for coffee or parts for equipment purchased earlier. He especially enjoyed meeting some of the guys in Hayward to play cards on Friday and Saturday mornings and almost daily coffee at McDonalds with friends. Richard and Eunice were avid card players and very much enjoyed eating out in the restaurants in Austin and the surrounding area.

He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, served in various offices while a member of the Moscow Lutheran Church and served many years on the Moscow Township Board. He was also a member of Austin Post #91 American Legion, and Olaf B. Damm Post #1216 VFW.

Richard felt very fortunate and grateful to have so many wonderful caregivers through the Austin Medical Center Hospice Program during the last months of his battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Roberta Flood and the Rev. Greg Mannel officiating. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Austin,

on Monday from 4-7 p.m., and one hour before the service at the church.

Honorary bearers will be Tyler, Stephanie and Spencer Draayer, Gabriel and Hannah Kuettner. Casket bearers will be Brian and Kristen Draayer, Brenda and Steven Kuettner, Jeremy and Kelly Bergstrom, and John Bergstrom.

He is survived by wife, Eunice Bergstrom; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Gerald Mittag of Glenville; son, Jim Bergstrom of Austin; daughter-in-law and husband, Jeanne and Ron Wangen of Oakland; brother, Arnold Bergstrom and Helen of Austin; sisters-in-law: Clara Chilson of Lyle, and Minnie Underdahl of Austin; brother-in-law, Ordell and Ethel Underland of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Brian Draayer and wife Kristen of Maple Grove, Minn.,, Brenda and husband Steven Kuettner of Cottage Grove, Minn., Jeremy Bergstrom and wife Kelly of Johnston, Iowa, and John Bergstrom of Austin; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Stephanie and Spencer Draayer, and Gabriel and Hannah Kuettner; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Richard was preceded in death by his son, Jerry; parents; and sister and Brother-in-law, Marion and Nordahl Tollefson.

Memorials to the Austin Medical Center Hospice Program, 1000 First Drive NW, Austin, MN 55912.