Keith A. Bergene, age 80, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Wednesday morning, March 31, 2021 at his residence.
Keith was born December 12, 1940 in the town of Cato, Manitowoc County. He was the son of the late Albert and Eleanore Vraney Bergene. Keith attended Valders High School and graduated with the class of 1958. In January of 1960 Keith entered the Unites States Army serving overseas in Germany. In March 1962 he received his honorable discharge and returned to Manitowoc. Keith was employed for almost 40 years with Manitowoc Shipbuilding from where he retired. On July 17, 1965 he married Darlene Schisel at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Whitelaw. Keith was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He enjoyed following NASCAR, the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, and the Wisconsin Badgers along with gardening and woodworking.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Darlene, three children, Brian (Rosanne) Bergene, Branch, Jason (Shawn) Bergene, Manitowoc, and Missy Bergene, St. John, Virgin Islands; seven grandchildren, Malarie and her fiancé Brett Oswald, Jacob and his special friend Jenny, Autumn, Walker, Shayla, Annaleise, and Zane; three brothers, Ronald Bergene, Manitowoc, Randy Bergene, St. Nazianz, and Mike Bergene, rural Manitowoc; five sisters, Carol Pagels, Two Creeks, Linda (Richard) Menza, Reedsville, Sharon (Larry) Satori, rural Manitowoc, Connie Hedman, Newton, Janelle (Donald) Schisel, Cato; nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Eleanore Bergene, one sister, Shirley in infancy, one brother, Jerry and one nephew, Scott Bergene.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Marshall, 1114 South 21st Street, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Doug LeCaptain. Relative and friends may call at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Military honors will be accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 731 at the church after the funeral service. Cremation will follow with burial of the cremated remains at Gjerpin Cemetery in the town of Cato on Friday afternoon. A luncheon will be held for family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
