The presence of God's loving hand led Alden "Beans" M. Bergland, age 96, to rest on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at the McCone County Health Center in Circle, Mont. He spent nearly 10 years at the McCone County Health Center. Beans was an easy keeper during his stay and he always had Hershey's candy for his visitors. The compassionate staff provided him the great care that he deserved. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, at First Lutheran Church in Circle with Pastor Stan Hoobing officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive, Mont., has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Beans was born on Dec. 24, 1917, in Hettinger, N.D., the son of Alfred and Anna Marie (Erlandson) Bergland. The Bergland family farmed and raised cattle near Bucyrus, N.D., before moving to Circle in 1921. They farmed near Circle for two years before moving to town where Alfred opened and operated a hardware store. Beans graduated from Circle High School and also Waldorf College where he received his business degree. A special sister, Muriel, paid for most of his education.
He married his high school sweetheart, Katie Mae Elverud in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 12, 1942. Three weeks later, Beans left to serve with the 56th Medical Battalion from 1942-1945. Beans was a medical supplies driver. That reckless abandonment pretty much carried over to his civilian driving. He was stationed in several countries during WWII: Germany, France, Italy, Sicily and North Africa.
After the war ended, Beans and Katie worked at Chapin Drug and in 1961; they acquired sole ownership, running a true old-fashioned soda fountain seven days a week for 49 years. Beans had "friends" he didn't know he had on those days when he'd make gallons of homemade ice cream per week. In 1993, The Billings Gazette featured Beans and Katie about their history at the drug store, including photographs. They shared a personally rich and rewarding life together for 62 years.
Beans' humorous, witty personality and his comments always kept people laughing. He had several occupations: President of the Liar's Club (those who came to the drug store promptly at 10 a.m. for coffee) and he was also the weekend Banker and Loan officer in Circle.
The youth around town were his main priority. Beans supported and donated to every youth organization, be it sports, 4-H, church groups or the swimming pool. Even at 91, he was keeping track of the tournaments being played.
Alden was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie Mae; a sister, Muriel (Bergland) Olson; and two brothers, Clifford and Floyd.
Beans is survived by his daughter, Sheryn (Del) Gackle of Brockway, Mont.; his son, Rocky (Debbie) Bergland of Portland, Ore.; two grandchildren, Darrell Gackle and Robin (Gackle) Kirby; two great-grandchildren, Shiyan and Caiden Kirby; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials in Beans' name may be made to the Circle School Activities Fund or to the charity of one's choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.
Beans was born on Dec. 24, 1917, in Hettinger, N.D., the son of Alfred and Anna Marie (Erlandson) Bergland. The Bergland family farmed and raised cattle near Bucyrus, N.D., before moving to Circle in 1921. They farmed near Circle for two years before moving to town where Alfred opened and operated a hardware store. Beans graduated from Circle High School and also Waldorf College where he received his business degree. A special sister, Muriel, paid for most of his education.
He married his high school sweetheart, Katie Mae Elverud in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 12, 1942. Three weeks later, Beans left to serve with the 56th Medical Battalion from 1942-1945. Beans was a medical supplies driver. That reckless abandonment pretty much carried over to his civilian driving. He was stationed in several countries during WWII: Germany, France, Italy, Sicily and North Africa.
After the war ended, Beans and Katie worked at Chapin Drug and in 1961; they acquired sole ownership, running a true old-fashioned soda fountain seven days a week for 49 years. Beans had "friends" he didn't know he had on those days when he'd make gallons of homemade ice cream per week. In 1993, The Billings Gazette featured Beans and Katie about their history at the drug store, including photographs. They shared a personally rich and rewarding life together for 62 years.
Beans' humorous, witty personality and his comments always kept people laughing. He had several occupations: President of the Liar's Club (those who came to the drug store promptly at 10 a.m. for coffee) and he was also the weekend Banker and Loan officer in Circle.
The youth around town were his main priority. Beans supported and donated to every youth organization, be it sports, 4-H, church groups or the swimming pool. Even at 91, he was keeping track of the tournaments being played.
Alden was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie Mae; a sister, Muriel (Bergland) Olson; and two brothers, Clifford and Floyd.
Beans is survived by his daughter, Sheryn (Del) Gackle of Brockway, Mont.; his son, Rocky (Debbie) Bergland of Portland, Ore.; two grandchildren, Darrell Gackle and Robin (Gackle) Kirby; two great-grandchildren, Shiyan and Caiden Kirby; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials in Beans' name may be made to the Circle School Activities Fund or to the charity of one's choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.
The presence of God's loving hand led Alden "Beans" M. Bergland, age 96, to rest on Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at the McCone County Health Center in Circle, Mont. He spent nearly 10 years at the McCone County Health Center. Beans was an easy keeper during his stay and he always had Hershey's candy for his visitors. The compassionate staff provided him the great care that he deserved. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, at First Lutheran Church in Circle with Pastor Stan Hoobing officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive, Mont., has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Beans was born on Dec. 24, 1917, in Hettinger, N.D., the son of Alfred and Anna Marie (Erlandson) Bergland. The Bergland family farmed and raised cattle near Bucyrus, N.D., before moving to Circle in 1921. They farmed near Circle for two years before moving to town where Alfred opened and operated a hardware store. Beans graduated from Circle High School and also Waldorf College where he received his business degree. A special sister, Muriel, paid for most of his education.
He married his high school sweetheart, Katie Mae Elverud in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 12, 1942. Three weeks later, Beans left to serve with the 56th Medical Battalion from 1942-1945. Beans was a medical supplies driver. That reckless abandonment pretty much carried over to his civilian driving. He was stationed in several countries during WWII: Germany, France, Italy, Sicily and North Africa.
After the war ended, Beans and Katie worked at Chapin Drug and in 1961; they acquired sole ownership, running a true old-fashioned soda fountain seven days a week for 49 years. Beans had "friends" he didn't know he had on those days when he'd make gallons of homemade ice cream per week. In 1993, The Billings Gazette featured Beans and Katie about their history at the drug store, including photographs. They shared a personally rich and rewarding life together for 62 years.
Beans' humorous, witty personality and his comments always kept people laughing. He had several occupations: President of the Liar's Club (those who came to the drug store promptly at 10 a.m. for coffee) and he was also the weekend Banker and Loan officer in Circle.
The youth around town were his main priority. Beans supported and donated to every youth organization, be it sports, 4-H, church groups or the swimming pool. Even at 91, he was keeping track of the tournaments being played.
Alden was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie Mae; a sister, Muriel (Bergland) Olson; and two brothers, Clifford and Floyd.
Beans is survived by his daughter, Sheryn (Del) Gackle of Brockway, Mont.; his son, Rocky (Debbie) Bergland of Portland, Ore.; two grandchildren, Darrell Gackle and Robin (Gackle) Kirby; two great-grandchildren, Shiyan and Caiden Kirby; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials in Beans' name may be made to the Circle School Activities Fund or to the charity of one's choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.
Beans was born on Dec. 24, 1917, in Hettinger, N.D., the son of Alfred and Anna Marie (Erlandson) Bergland. The Bergland family farmed and raised cattle near Bucyrus, N.D., before moving to Circle in 1921. They farmed near Circle for two years before moving to town where Alfred opened and operated a hardware store. Beans graduated from Circle High School and also Waldorf College where he received his business degree. A special sister, Muriel, paid for most of his education.
He married his high school sweetheart, Katie Mae Elverud in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 12, 1942. Three weeks later, Beans left to serve with the 56th Medical Battalion from 1942-1945. Beans was a medical supplies driver. That reckless abandonment pretty much carried over to his civilian driving. He was stationed in several countries during WWII: Germany, France, Italy, Sicily and North Africa.
After the war ended, Beans and Katie worked at Chapin Drug and in 1961; they acquired sole ownership, running a true old-fashioned soda fountain seven days a week for 49 years. Beans had "friends" he didn't know he had on those days when he'd make gallons of homemade ice cream per week. In 1993, The Billings Gazette featured Beans and Katie about their history at the drug store, including photographs. They shared a personally rich and rewarding life together for 62 years.
Beans' humorous, witty personality and his comments always kept people laughing. He had several occupations: President of the Liar's Club (those who came to the drug store promptly at 10 a.m. for coffee) and he was also the weekend Banker and Loan officer in Circle.
The youth around town were his main priority. Beans supported and donated to every youth organization, be it sports, 4-H, church groups or the swimming pool. Even at 91, he was keeping track of the tournaments being played.
Alden was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie Mae; a sister, Muriel (Bergland) Olson; and two brothers, Clifford and Floyd.
Beans is survived by his daughter, Sheryn (Del) Gackle of Brockway, Mont.; his son, Rocky (Debbie) Bergland of Portland, Ore.; two grandchildren, Darrell Gackle and Robin (Gackle) Kirby; two great-grandchildren, Shiyan and Caiden Kirby; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials in Beans' name may be made to the Circle School Activities Fund or to the charity of one's choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.
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