Dennis Bergman

Dennis Lee Bergman, age 68, of Pillager and formerly of Chanhassen died Sunday, November 17, 2019.  A private family service will take place at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter.

Dennis was born on October 26, 1951 in Britton, South Dakota to Ralph and Meryl (Winder) Bergman.  When Dennis was a small child, his family moved to Eden Prairie.  Dennis married the love of his life, Carol Bergman, on October 31, 1970 at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Mound; this love started with a simple car payment.  He worked at the MN Zoo and retired from Normandale College in Bloomington as a Career and Academic Planning Advisor.  The couple moved to Pillager in 2015, where they happily retired on Sylvan Lake.  Dennis started his Santa career with a rented suit and a fake beard, but he naturally fell in love with making children and adults smile and spreading joy.  He enjoyed camping, riding motorcycle with his brother, Dick,  and tinkering in his many sheds.  Dennis had one piece of advice for his girls; “It is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission and don’t tell your mom.”  He was loving, caring, understanding, genuine, open minded, kind hearted and loved telling great stories.  Dennis will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Dennis is survived by his “adorable Mrs. Claus,” Carol; daughters, Olivia (Patrick Spear) Bergman of Burnsville, Shannon Bergman of Tucson, AZ; sister, Cleo (Loren “Butch) Miller of Maple Grove; sister-in-law, Linda Bergman of Eden Prairie; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard “Dick”; and nephew, David Miller.

“Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing” – The Santa Claus