Stan passed away Friday, May 9, 2008, in Coeur d'Alene, of a massive stroke.
Stan was the fourth child born to John and Anna (Ostrom) Bergen. He arrived on June 19, 1929, on a ranch about five miles east of Martinsdale, Mont., known as the "Raymond Place."
In 1936 the family moved to the nearby small town of Martinsdale, where Stan completed his elementary schooling in a small two-room schoolhouse. His favorite pastimes during those years were ice skating, sleighing, fishing and building model airplanes. His first job was during the summer when he just turned 12 years old. He worked for a large ranch called The Bair Company Ranch. The pay for this job was 50 cents a day.
Stan's parents were divorced in 1938. His mother moved to Big Timber, Mont., where later he and his younger brother Alvie joined her. He attended high school there and held various jobs during the summers.
In January 1947 Stan joined the Army Air Forces for a three-year hitch. He became a high-speed radio operator and served in Germany during the Berlin Airlift, attaining the rank of sergeant.
Stan returned to Big Timber. There were very few job opportunities there at that time so he moved to Harlowton, Mont., where he went to work for the Montana Flour Mill Co. for a year until they closed the mill down. He then went to work at the Milwaukee Railroad Shop at Harlowton as a machinist apprentice.
In January 1950 he met and began dating Mary Ellen Furgason. On Dec. 30, 1950, they were married in the Lutheran Church at Big Timber. Their first child, Sharon Ann, was born in Harlowton, Jan. 10, 1952.
When the railroad began curtailing operations, Stan left Harlowton in April 1953 and found work as an operator at the Anaconda Copper Mining Smelter at Anaconda, Mont. His daughter Sandra Ellen was born there on Sept. 22, 1953.
After having worked there for a year, Stan and Mary took a trip to Lewiston to visit his brother John and family. It was in mid-April and the weather was beautiful and the dogwood trees were in full bloom. Mary decided right then that this was the place where she wanted to live. Stan didn't need much coaxing. A month later, in May 1954, he quit his job in Anaconda and moved his family to Lewiston. This was a decision they never regretted. Stanley Arnold was born there on Nov. 23, 1954.
Stan went to work the next day after arriving at Lewiston for the Pulp and Paper Division of Potlatch Corp. His career with Potlatch, which covered a period of 32 years, was very satisfying and rewarding.
In 1960 he went into partnership with his brother John and two others in the operation of Smitty's Pancake House Restaurant at 833 21st St. in Lewiston. The other two partners left after a few months and John and Stan continued to operate the business. After a few years Stan bought John out and he and Mary continued to operate it until they sold it in 1971.
Stan took an early retirement from Potlatch on May 1, 1986. His favorite hobby was his computer. Always a meticulous record keeper, he loved his spreadsheets. He greatly enjoyed camping, biking and eating out.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his brother Oswald; and his sister, Jean Dammel.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, at the family home; his brother John Bergen, also of Lewiston; his brother Alvie Bergen of Anaconda; his daughter Sharon Marcellus of Lewiston; daughter Sandra Rafferty of Nine Mile Falls, Wash.; son, Stanley Arnold Bergen of Loon Lake, Wash.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He will be sorely missed by all.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mountain View Funeral Home, Lewiston.
