Bernard L. "Bernie" Bergdale

Bernard L. "Bernie" Bergdale, 94, of Sioux City, IA formerly of Alcester, SD, passed away Monday, October 17, 2022 at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Alcester Baptist Church in Alcester, SD. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Alcester. Memorials may be directed to Alcester Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com

Bernard Leslie Bergdale was born on July 23, 1928 in Hawarden, Iowa. He was the oldest of five children born to Leslie & Ruth Bergdale. Bernard lived in the rural Alcester area his entire life, attending Miller School and Alcester High School, graduating in 1946.

Bernard enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and served his tenure stationed in Texas. He later attended auctioneering school in Mason City, Iowa, training that would serve him well the rest of his life.  He later met the love of his life, Phyllis Christensen and they were joined in sacred matrimony on December 28, 1956.  The couple raised three loving children on their family farm right outside of Alcester, South Dakota.  Bernard’s loving, giving nature, combined with he and Phyllis’ Christian faith and foundation, hard work and strength created wonderful family memories throughout the years.   He auctioneered many sales during and after his years of farming.  Bernard was an active member at the Alcester Baptist Church.

Bernard loved being a grandpa, taking his ten grandchildren fishing and hunting, and watching their sporting, 4H, and equestrian events through the years.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman, making many trips to northern Saskatchewan, Montana and Colorado. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kelvin and sister, Muriel Goettsch.

He is survived by sisters Marge Eilers of Alcester, SD and Jean Eilers of Athens, Georgia, his children, Sue ( John) Faust of Tower, MN, John (Sandy) Bergdale of Sioux City, Nancy (Brian) Westemeyer of Overland Park, KS. and ten grandchildren: Bryan (Andrea) Bergdale, Blaine (Catharine) Westemeyer, Brandon Westemeyer, Dan Faust , Joe Faust,  Ellie (Chris) Lucido, Katie (Spencer) Roorda, Kaija Bergdale, Thomas (McKenna) Faust, and Kaitlyn (Evan) Sarna of Hopkins, MN and six great grandchildren, Hunter & Nora Bergdale, Margaret & Sofia Lucido, Maeve Roorda and Loren Faust.

His family would like to thank the caregivers for all the compassionate care Bernard received over the last few years from the nursing home staffs.