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Charleen Bergquist
08/09/1937 — 11/05/2025
From Richland, WA
Graveside
Charleen Bergquist
Charleen Yvonne Bergquist (nee Fietzek) passed away peacefully to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on November 5th, 2025, at the Life Care Center in Kennewick, Washington.
She was born in Stutsman County, North Dakota on August 9th, 1937 to George Samual Fietzek and Elise Wilhemina Fietzek (nee Schulz). Charleen attended High School in Jamestown, North Dakota and graduated in 1955. She then attended Valley City State Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota and graduated with a BA in Education in 1959. She accepted her first assignment in Scappoose, Oregon teaching at the elementary level.
Charleen married Gale Duane Bergquist on November 4, 1961 in Longview, Washington. They later relocated to Grants Pass, Oregon where sons Greg and Jamie were born. Gale worked in the sawmill industry and they spent the next 28 years moving to various parts of Oregon (Scappoose, Deer Island, Hood River, Burns, Brookings, Corvallis, Sheridan, North Powder, Dufur, Joseph, and Medford), Washington (Shelton, Morton, Aberdeen), and Alaska (Wrangell). Upon Dad’s retirement they located in Portland, Oregon in 1992 to manage the Rolling Wheels Mobile Estates in Gresham. Mom continued to teach sporadically as a substitute until Greg and Jamie graduated from high school.
She was a sweet and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by sons Gregory Bergquist (Catherine), Jamie Bergquist; step-son Michael Bergquist (Jan), grandsons Jeffrey Bergquist and Brian Bergguist, and great-grandson Liam Bergquist; step-grandaughters Brianne Bergquist and Haylee Bergquist; brother Wayne Fietzek (Donna); and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gale; step-son John Bergquist; brothers George, Henry (Hank), Ron, and Dean; and sister Ethelwyn Pillaert.
Charleen attended Resurrection Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.
The family wants to thank the doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff at the Adventist Hospital in Portland and Life Care Center Kennewick. Her son Greg wants to personally thank Norma, Mom’s Applegate Apartment manager in Portland, as she was so wonderful in assisting Mom from time to time prior to her moving to the Tri-Cities.
A graveside service will be held on November 19th at Longview Memorial Park in Longview, Washington at 1:30 pm. In lieu of gifts and flowers, please donate to your local food bank or charity of choice.
I remember Aunt Charleen when my sister, Cheryl, and I were growing up. We would visit Grandpa and Grandma at the farm and we loved going there! We were part of a loving extended family. We liked being with our aunt and tried to imitate her. She had a big collection of small scarves in all colors and she let us play with them and wear them like she did. I remember being impressed with her when she went to college, the first in the family. Her first job teaching was in Braddock, ND, and we would see her on the weekends. Later on, after she left ND and was married to Gale and had their children, we saw them when they came back to ND for visits. We kept in touch through the years.
My sympathy to Greg and Jamie and their families.
My thoughts and prayers to Greg and Jamie and their families. I have fond memories of Aunt Charlene and Uncle Gales summer visits to the farm and in younger years our visits out West over Christmas. And photos taken in front of their fireplace. I also remember being there during an earthquake! Must have made an impression on this ND girl!
Rest in peace dear Aunt Charlene❤️🙏🏻
Love, Lucinda (Fietzek) Hanekom
Will always remember our family vacations during the Christmas holidays visiting Charleen and Gale. Wonderful memories of them and the boys.
She could spread jelly on your toast for breakfast perfectly, and never go over the edge! They used to come every year to visit my folks at the Fietzek Farm where her folks farmed and she grew up. Miss U aunt Charleen!
I will always remember the Great times we shared with Charleen and the family. Those were the best childhood years! Charleen was always smiling and had the cutest laugh! RIP Charleen. Love you❤️
Charleen will be missed. I always loved spending time with her at family gatherings. She had such a kind and sweet soul. She was loved by many.
Charlene will be missed. I always loved spending time with her at family gatherings. She had such a kind and sweet soul. She was loved by many.
Guestbook for
Charleen Bergquist