James W. Bergner

James W. Bergner passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 12, 2026, at age 85. Jim’s story began on August 19, 1940, when he was born to Woodrow and Julie (Bauer) Bergner in Wausau, Wisconsin. Growing up in Mishicot, WI, Jim developed a lifelong love of sports. Often coached by his father, he played football, basketball, and baseball for Mishicot High School. Throughout his life, he shared many fond memories of his fellow classmates from the class of 1958.

Jim’s next chapter in life took him to what was then Wisconsin State College – Oshkosh. Following in his father’s footsteps, he studied to become a teacher. His enduring love of literature, from Shakespeare to Tolkien to Vonnegut, naturally led him to become an English teacher.

With bachelor’s degree in hand, Jim set out to pursue his profession. His career in teaching took him east, where he taught in Maryland and West Virginia. He then spent many years living in Chicago, a city that held a special place in his heart to the end. He often reminisced about spending summer afternoons watching hapless Cubs teams from the bleachers of Wrigley.

Like in most good stories, Jim’s journey brought him back home. Back in the Manitowoc area, he filled his final chapter of life pursuing his passions. He took to the stage in numerous Masquer’s and Little Sandwich Theatre productions, ventured out onto many hunting and fishing trips, and left ample divots on local golf courses.

His sons were his greatest joy. He loved teaching them to golf and play baseball, coaching them in County League, and attending their sporting and school events. Even near the end, after dementia had taken so much, he would still ask, “How are the boys?” That love for family remained at the center of Jim’s life. Before he passed, he was able to meet his new granddaughter. With that, his journey was complete.

Jim’s eternal memory lives on not so much in the milestones or benchmarks, but rather in how he embraced the minutiae of daily life that comes with being a father, a husband, a brother, and a friend. He found joy in the simple things, weathered the bad times with a joke and a smile, and clung to the good times with all his heart. The quick wit, the easy conversation, and the loyalty of love for those around him will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to share this life with Jim. It is in these memories, forever imprinted on our hearts like words on a page, that Jim’s story lives on.

Jim is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary (Greis) Bergner, children Alexander (Rachel) Bergner and Maxwell Bergner; grandchild Constance Bergner; siblings Thomas (Teresa) Bergner, Kay Yates, Jayne (Randy) Strauss; sisters-in-law Carol (Dale) Svihl, Lynn (Ray) Farmer; brothers-in-law James (Nikki) Greis, Gary Klein; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Woodrow and Julie Bergner, son Nicholas Bergner, in-laws Edward and Sharon Greis, sisters Mary Klein and infant Margaret Bergner, and brother-in-law Fred Yates.

Cremation has occurred at Harrigan Parkside Crematory Chapel. Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family for a Life Celebration Social at Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 N. Water St., Manitowoc, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Jim’s name to Shady Lane or to the charity or organization of your choice.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Shady Lane Third Floor Memory Care for their exceptional and compassionate care and for always keeping his cookie jar full of Oreos. We also appreciate the care that Jim received from the nurses and staff at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers during his final days.