Arlan E. "Bergy" Bergesen

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Arlan E. “Bergy” Bergesen, affectionately known as “Bumpa” to his grandchildren.

Bergy passed peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, October 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following complications from a fall. He was a remarkable 90 years young.

Bergy was born in Big Timber, Montana, to Bjarne and Gladys Bergesen, and grew up with two younger sisters, Marian and Gloria. He was immensely proud of his Norwegian heritage and spoke often and admiringly of his hardworking immigrant father, Bjarne Jaatten. “Barney Boy,” as Bergy called him, was one of 10 children. In 1930, at age 20, Bjarne boarded the Aquitania from Stavanger, Norway, bound for America in search of a better life. Arriving at Ellis Island without knowing a word of English, he adopted the surname Bergesen, meaning “son of Berge.”

In 1943, during World War II, the family moved to White Center Heights near Seattle, Washington. Bergy spent his childhood playing basketball, baseball, swimming, boxing, and riding bikes with friends. He developed a strong work ethic at an early age, delivering newspapers, washing windows, mowing lawns, and picking beans to help support his family. Whatever money he could spare went toward attending Seattle Rainiers baseball games with his friends. When they couldn’t afford hot dogs, they’d put mustard on a napkin and pretend they were eating one.

The family later moved to a small bungalow in Burien, Washington. Bergy graduated from Highline High School in 1954, where he served as senior class president and co-captain of the varsity basketball team. He also played first base on his championship American Legion baseball team. He went on to the University of Washington, where he joined Delta Upsilon fraternity, played on the freshman and sophomore basketball teams, and earned a degree in Television and Radio Production.

Handsome, outgoing, and never short on dates, Bergy enjoyed every bit of college life. His love of the English language eventually carried over into fatherhood, when his reluctant teenagers were subjected to mandatory Sunday evening vocabulary tests.

In September of his senior year, at a Delta Upsilon and Kappa Alpha Theta exchange, Bergy spotted a beautiful young woman and asked a friend, “Who is the girl in the burgundy sweater?” Her name was Janice Kreger. A friend later arranged their first date, and Bergy and Jan danced the night away, beginning a two-year courtship.

Following graduation from the University of Washington in 1958, Bergy worked briefly in insurance before serving in the Army. Throughout their courtship, he wrote faithfully to Jan, who still treasures a box of 85 handwritten love letters. They married on June 25, 1960, beginning 66 years of marriage filled with dancing, travel, laughter, and wonderful friendships.

Just days before his passing, when his children asked him, “What was the best decision you ever made?” Bergy looked across the room at Jan and simply replied, “Marrying your mother.”

Between 1961 and 1968, Bergy and Jan welcomed four children: Jodi Gay, Richard Arlan, Jill Renee, and Kristen Kaye. In 1970, Bergy accepted his dream job with IBM, moving the family to Boise, Idaho. A gifted salesman, he earned numerous awards and recognition throughout his career.

In 1971, the family settled on Estate Drive, where the children enjoyed an idyllic childhood surrounded by neighbors who became lifelong friends. For more than 50 years, Bergy delighted children and families by dressing up as Santa Claus, delivering gifts, and spreading Christmas cheer.

Bergy was a devoted and tireless father who encouraged his children to pursue their interests and explore every opportunity imaginable. Whether it was sports, academics, leadership, dance, or music, he was there for every game, competition, concert, and celebration. He was our biggest fan.

With all he gave to his family, he still found time for his own passions: golf, cards, gardening, piano, banjo, watercolor painting, woodworking, his beloved ’59 Ford hardtop convertible, his log cabin in McCall, and musical theater.

He performed in numerous Boise Music Week productions, including the leading role in Hello, Dolly! and supporting roles in Annie, Singin’ in the Rain, and The Music Man, where he played Mayor Shinn. Fittingly, Bergy possessed all the qualities of a small-town mayor himself, a man who never met a stranger and made everyone feel like an old friend.

Bergy was preceded in death by his parents, his two sisters, and his son-in-law, Mike Thompson. He is survived by Jan, his beloved wife of 66 years; his children Jodi, Rick, Jill (Danny B), and Kristie; his grandchildren Riley, Kyle, Analise, Noah, Emma, Sophie, Millie, Ava, Ben, and Sam; his great-granddaughter Mia Rose; nieces Cheri, Patti, and Juli; nephews Marc and Steven; and his pride and joy, Bonser, his little white dog.

A memorial service will be held on October 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St., followed immediately by a Celebration of a Big Life at Hillcrest Country Club, 4610 W. Hillcrest Dr. As Boise High School will still be in session, ridesharing is encouraged for those attending the service at the cathedral.

Whatever he did and wherever he went, Bergy made life a little bigger and brighter for everyone around him. In his honor, we invite you to wear bright colors.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bergy’s memory may be made to Boise Music Week or a charity of your choice.

From His Children:

We are forever grateful for our devoted father who taught us to embrace life with a smile. In his final days, with tears in his eyes, Dad made sure we knew how proud he was of us and that his family was his greatest joy. He looked at us and said, “How could I ever be so lucky to have shared my life with all of you?”

WE are the lucky ones.