Kathleen Bergan

Kathleen Marie Bergan, 96, of Biwabik died Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Carefree Living in Aurora.

She was born January 28, 1928 in Duluth, Minnesota to Benne and Helen (Slattum) Korgen.  She was a 1946 graduate of Central High School.  She received a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1950.  She married Jack Bergan of Gilbert in 1956.  Kathy and Jack were longtime residents of Biwabik and shared their love of the community.

Kathy was a high school mathematics teacher in a number of local schools including Gilbert, Orr and Cook for many years.  She had an intense interest in local history and was a volunteer at the Iron Range Historical Society, where she authored numerous articles and books on the local families, towns and industries on the Iron Range.  She performed historical research to assist many other authors on various articles and published works.  She was also very accomplished at sewing and other crafts – enjoying making countless gifts for her extended family.

Kathy was an amazingly kind and cheerful person who deeply loved and cared for all her family, friends and neighbors.  Kathy excelled at academics and was one of the few women at the time to receive a mathematics degree.  As a teacher, she was passionate about ensuring every student had an opportunity to learn mathematics.  Having grown up as a little girl in the Depression era, she understood the value of family and had personal experience with the difficult sacrifices of life at the time.  This experience shaped her into an ardent supporter of education as a foundation to prepare her students for the best opportunities in life.

Kathy will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  She is survived by her sons: Timothy (Darlene) Bergan of Chesapeake, VA and Patrick (Kristine) Bergan of Tracyton, Washington; four Grandchildren: Kathleen, Timothy II, Jessica and Ryan; and six great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her son, Michael; and her brothers: Howard and Ben Korgen.

A remembrance service will be held at a future date.