Russell Duane Bergley "Russ" husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Aircraft mechanic, basketball player, adrenaline junkie, sports enthusiast, avid fisherman and the best family man, died peacefully at his home next to his wife on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.

He was born to Harlow and Eva on July 30th 1942 at their home in Marion, North Dakota. The family soon moved to Alsen, North Dakota, where Russ was raised. He attended Alsen school and although he did not enjoy school, he had a very competitive nature, was a talented athlete and he loved basketball. He was a part of the Alsen school basketball team where they had 79 straight wins and still to this day hold the record. Russ and his family were custom combine harvesters and they moved to Kansas in 1959 where he met the love of his life and Kansas sweetheart, Georgia Payton. They married June 10th, 1962 and built a life they loved. Married 61 years, together they had 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 23 and a half, great-grandchildren. He lived a life he was proud of. A hardworking man, who would often work 12-hour days, 7 days a week at Cessna, Beech then Boeing, he did what he needed to do to be a good provider to his family. A good provider, he was. Russ truly lived life to the fullest. He loved sports and put his family at the center of everything, never missing the kids and grandkids ball games. If he wasn't at a game, you could find him fishing, working in his garage, boating, riding four wheelers or taking trips and traveling with his family. He was a jokester and you'd often find him laughing. He had a need for speed and his life was an adventure.

Russ is preceded in death by his daughter, Darla Kay, father, Harlow and his mother, Eva; his brothers Julius, Harold and Ray; his sisters, Elsie and Bernice and his beautiful granddaughter, Dellsea Rae Nachbor.

Russ leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter and survived by his wife, Georgia; their four children, Duane (Vicky) Bergley, Dwight (Carol) Bergley, Diann (Scott) Giesen and Doreen (Justin) Nachbor; He was the proud grandpa to 11 grandchildren, Amie Knisley, Kattie Frakes, Chris (Jordan) Bergley, Brook (Tyler) Kissinger, Preston (Jessica) Giesen, Nicole (Abe) Kersting, Ladessa (Devon) Smith, Crystal (Garrett) Patterson, Blake (Sarah) Nachbor and Sarah (Matt) Swank; 23 and a half great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and other living relatives and treasured friends.

Visitation will be held at Dunsford Funeral Home on Sunday, February 4th, from 1-3pm and is open to the public.

Join us for a celebration of life at Douglass United Methodist Church 204 S. Willow, Douglass, Kansas. The celebration will start at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Douglass senior center, PO Box 362, Douglass, KS 67039