Kurt Bergquist

Kurt Francis Bergquist, age 51, passed away on March 11, in his home in Eden Prairie, MN, surrounded by his entire family. He was the son of Carol Bergquist and the late Gordon Bergquist

Kurt was born in Willmar, MN and lived in Renville and Redwood Falls, MN prior to residing in Highmore, SD during his primary years in school. He then moved to Milbank with his family in 1977 and was a graduate of Milbank High School in 1985.

Following graduation, he spent one year at the University of Minnesota – Morris, prior to joining the U.S. Army and serving for 3 years in Germany. Upon his discharged he attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and received a B.S. degree in both Business Administration and in Economics. He then attended Tulane Law School in New Orleans, LA where he received his Juris Doctorate. He then obtained his MBA from Columbia in New York City.

While in New York City, he met his wife Megumi Kondo from Tokyo, Japan. They lived in Manhattan, NY and traveled the world extensively and had many memorable experiences prior to having their first son, Kai. They eventually moved to San Francisco, where their son, Mio was born, and eventually to Seattle, WA, and then Tokyo, Japan.

Kurt spent all of his professional career devoted to helping businesses grow to higher levels of success, both as a venture capitalist and as the CEO of Progressive International in Seattle, WA. Most who crossed paths with Kurt, knew him as a brilliant strategist which was put to great use in his business endeavors.

Although an extremely accomplished businessman, most important to Kurt was his wife and two sons. He was a devoted family man, and packed a lifetime of memories into a short period of time, including trips to various parts of the world as a family.

Kurt and his family moved to Eden Praire, MN in March of 2017, to be closer to family following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He fought an incredible battle and continued to be able to experience life far beyond doctors expectations. The grace and strength in which he went through this journey amazed all that experienced it with him.

He will be remembered as a man with an incredible humor, a brilliant mind, an unwavering conviction to what he believed in, and above all else, a love for his family.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Megumi Kondo, his two sons … Kai, 14 and Mio, 9, his mother Carol Bergquist, Milbank,SD and two brothers, Darin (Leslie) Bergquist, Pierre, SD and Alan (Rachelle) Bergquist, Chanhassen, MN. Three nieces, Kelsey (Travis) Buttke, Heidi Bergquist, and Skylar Paige. He was preceded in death by his father, the late Gordon Bergquist