W. Dale Berglund
January 27, 1947 - December 9, 2004

"Nancy and J.J, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Your both in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences."

"There will never be another Fourth of July celebration without thoughts of Dale Berglund - Dale so loved those fireworks over Bass Lake, and we all so loved watching Dale. Dale will be forever missed and in our hearts - we all had so many happy days there, these are wonderful memories."

"Dale was a very sincere person, he always got the job done.He was so helpful in helping us with the Southshore Fishing Assoc. He let use the Shamrock for pre-planning of our fishing tournement.Also was always there to give us a hand out when asked, he was very generous. I remember one time he called me and told me I had a Christmas present at the bar. I couldn't imagine what he was talking about, I went down there two days before Christmas and he had given me $300.00 that I had left on the bar, the night before. How many other people would have called me, not to many. Dale was a great person to so many, and he's going to be missed by all, and left a good family behind.I know Nancy will take over where Dale left off. I will pray for you DALE, even though I know you don't need it. Gods waiting at the gate for you. By for now, and hope to see you again someday.Hang in there Nance. Love Ya's Brass"

"Nancy, John and I are sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts will be with you tomorrow. I have great memories of Dale at St.Michaels grade school, all the way back to first communion, his entertaining and singing at Bishop Baraga and basketball. I applaud you for your sense of humor during this difficult time, I'm sure it was of great comfort to him during his illness. With Sympathy to you and your family. John and LeAnn Stindt"

"My deepest sympathy to the Berglund family. I have a lot of very memorable moments from my years at NMU and The Shamrock and Dale and Nancy are a big part of that. You always were greeted by a big smile and hello from them and it made you feel at home. I will sadly miss Dale, and will never forget his generocity to many of us "poor college students". Thanks for the memories."

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Berglund family at this most difficult time. I have fond, and cherished memories, of my time spent hanging at The Shamrock. Dale was always one to greet with a smile and a moment or two of conversation. He and Nancy treated us lowly college kids not as simply patrons but, as friends. I respectfully offer a final toast in Dale's memory."

"Dale will be missed by so many. He always had a smile and a hello how are you. I know that this time is hard but Nancy you have lots and lots of good memories to carry with you. The two of you were very lucky to have each other for such a long and wonderful life, cherish that not many of us have that. Will keep you in my thoughts."

"My condolences to the Berglund family during this difficult time."

"From all the players on the Shamrock softball team, we offer our deepest sympathy to the Berglund family. Dale was kind enough to sponsor us for over a decade. As a team we shared many memories with Dale - a few trophies, a few drinks, and many good times. We greatly appreciate his contribution to Shamrock softball. Not only financially but also his support as a fan, and when called upon, his eagerness as a player when the team was short handed. Thanks for making all those great times possible."

"My heart goes out to Nancy and JJ. Dale and Nancy were like our parents away from home those first couple years the bar was open which were our firs years there. Dale was always there when you needed him. I have a lot of great memories from the shamrock and all of them include Dale and Nancy. May God help you through this time."

"Dear Nancy and family - please accept our condolences on the passing of Dale. I learned of his death while looking at the on-line Mining Journal. We are so sorry, Dale was to young to go. I have many good memories of Dale, you, Richie Balmes, Mike Oliver and others from our years at Bishop Baraga and then at NMU. I will never forget Dale and you and will always keep you in our thoughts and prayers. With love. Sincerely Jerry & Linda Hawes"

"If you come down to the "ROCK" to play some ping pong. You don't see Joe at the door,and you wonder "what's wrong". Andy,Tony, and Schmeltz can't fill your glasses no more. Kathy's not running around, but Jimmy P's still a bore. Nancy's not at the bar with a Tang & Tonic with lime. J.J's not playing hoops with the game on the line!! It's a little different today as we lay Dale to rest. Those years behind us, we rock n rolled with the best!!!! Now he get's 1st shot to watch over us all. To make sure young Taylor passes the damn ball!! Nancy and J.J.I know you'll both carry on strong. His decisions about you both, they had never been wrong. Dale left a legacy that is too big to ever touch! I miss him like hell, I know the burden is much. Remember my prom night,when Dale called and was Ann Edward's Dad. That's the Dale I remember,and it helps me not to be sad. Dale wants everyone to be happy and not to sit around in great shock! The Dale I know would say Let's go to the Rock! Toast the man we loved so much for his wisdom and his wit! He would say "quit sitting around, I'm in heaven you damn dumbshits". Have a beer, maybe two and dry your sad eyes. I'm golfing, telling jokes and next round I buy."

"Nancy you and your family will be in my prayers. Dales big smile will always be remembered. Gary"

"Sooo sorry to hear of your loss, Dale was always very nice...We will miss seeing him around :( Nancy we will keep you in our thoughts."

"Nancy & JJ: First of all, let me offer my sincere condolences. Your husband and father was the kind of man many people shared good times and fond memories with and I am proud to have been one of them. Like Casey mentioned, you guys were more than just bar owners and the Shamrock was more than just a bar. It was like having another family up in Marquette while we were all away at college. (And a family that was way more fun than our families back home!) Dale was such a great guy to just sit and talk with on a Sunday afternoon over a casual beer or two while the Packers were on. My favorite memory of him was the day I brought my parents to the Shamrock around graduation, literally telling them that this was my home away from home. Dale came over to our table with a couple of pitchers and then sat down and shot the breeze with my mom and dad about everything and nothing. He also gave us all Shamrock mugs and then he refused to let my dad pay the tab. I know I'm going to miss him and "The Ring of Fire.""

"Nancy, My best memories of You and Dale go way back to High school. The Dances at the K C and especially the Waterfront.I will always treasure those and many others Love aways Howard"

"Dear Nancy and J.J. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to Dale's services, but I am very happy that I got to see him this past summer. We were in the bar during the bike races, and were able to give him a hug, catch up, and wish him well. I'm just so glad we got to see him! Please know that you are all in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. He was a special guy--one in a million--and he will certainly never be forgotten! Take care. Love, Jackie,(Bruce & Sarah, too)"

"Nancy,JJ and Family, Sorry we could not be there for the funeral. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless Patti and Bill Heller and family"

"Nancy & J.J. It is with great sorrow that I am sending this message. I met Dale being one of his first patrons when he took over the bar. In the years that followed, he proved to be a very generous man, giving me a job, borrowing me money, and providing advice. He was so easy to talk to that it was natural to go to him for just about anything especially since my family was hundreds of miles away in Detroit. He made all of us feel like family. One thing that I will always remember about Dale is the look in his eyes when he talked about JJ's basketball accomplishments...He was a very proud man...and will be missed by all those he helped along the way. Greg Lockhart"

"My heart goes out to you and JJ at this sad time in your life. However, thinking of Dale and you and all the life you put into everything you did gives me a smile on my face I can't get rid of. May it be of comfort to you and your family that others share in your loss and grief. We always enjoyed visiting you two on our trips to Mqte. Nancy to see your smiling face, courage, stregnth, and editor capabilities during the last few months have shown us that even in the tough times that when the going gets tough the touch get going. You have been a comfort to many of us through these difficult times for you and your family. Your sense of humor never faultered during the toughest time of your life. Your soul mate has gone on before you to make a comfortable place for you when you leave us and enter into the same peace he has found after the last ten months of hope and dispair. I would like to share some of the favorite stories I have of you and Dale but some things you don't need to share with everyone, like the satin sheet story. I know you will go forward in the way that Dale would want you to do and put that wonderful smile on your face for all those who need to see a sincere and gracious smile when the times seem so dark. I which I had been there to share in your grief but I still have my neck harness on and need a ride where ever I go. Even when your needs were greater than mine you found the space in your heart to think of me. I'm not sure that I could have reached out to everyone else like you did under the same circumstances. However, I am thankful for all the prayers you sent my way. I will keep praying for you and JJ as I feel Dale does not need my prayers any longer. God welcomed him home with open arms. Please stay in touch and I will never forget the good times the four of us had over a beverage. I love you and like you. Helen Connolly Bailey"

"Nancy, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you guys. Tony and Dixie"

"Nancy, When I first heard about Dale's passing I was really sad. But after thinking about him for a while and remembering what a good man he was I realized that he is surely in heaven. He is safe and full of joy. My prayers go out to you and the rest of your family. An Irish Blessing: Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free! I follow the plan God laid for me. I saw His face, I heard His call, I took His hand and left it all... I could not stay another day, To love, to laugh, to work or play; Tasks left undone must stay that way. And if my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss... Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss. My life's been full, I've savoured much: Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't shorten yours with undue grief. Be not burdened with tears of sorrow, Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow."

"Dale-You will be missed by all-Your old classmates, friends and the entire community. I am glad to have known you. Until we meet again in the next life."

"To the Berglund Family -- Dale was classy and down-to-earth. I remember meeting him for the first time at a football pre-season cook out where he invited some of the ballplayers (those over 21 of course) to come down to the bar he had just purchased. Little did we know then that the Shamrock would turn into a legendary Marquette institution. Dale let me off-the-hook a few times when he didn't have to and I certainly didn't deserve it. For that I'll always be grateful and hopefully pass it on by giving some young person a break in the future. Dale always seemed genuinely happy to see you whether it had been a few days or a few years since you last met. The genuine kindness and the sense of humor are what I remember most. My condolences to the Berglund family. Dale, I hope to see you in the next life . . . I know you'll have a beer ready and a few stories to tell. So long friend. David Gregory NMU 92'"

"Dale and I go back as 5 year olds at St. Michael's School. We played Little League baseball and went to Baraga High together for four years. I had caught up with him a number of times over the years on my return visits to Marquette. When Elvis was all the rage, Dale did a brilliant impersonation. The nuns at St. Michael's knew they had a rebel and a comic on their hands. At Baraga, Father Carmody saw that side of Dale but also his innate intelligence and leadership ability. We traveled to Florida and the Bahamas at the end of high school and were grateful for his maturity and leadership. Most of us were pretty naive. That's how I will always remember him: great sense of humor, he took what life dished out, didn't complain, was always friendly and the sort of person others enjoy being around . I think he met his Maker with the same courage, friendliness and humor that he displayed in life. He never changed. I will miss him."

"I want to pass along my sincerest condolences to the Berglund Family. I have read that a good measure of a man's time on earth is found in how he treated other people. If this is true, then Dale certainly lead a full and meaningful life. As another "lowly college kid" who spent countless hours at JJ's Shamrock, I can say that Dale was kind and welcoming to all of us without exception. He meant a great deal to many, many people, and will be truly missed."

"Dare day go, dare go da trucks, some day got couse, some day got ducks. This was the first thing I remember Dale saying to me,when i was a little boy. I miss dale and had many good times with he and my sister Nancy and my Nephew JJ I love you nance and jj. Now dales under the big couch in the sky. love Christopher"

"I am sorry to hear of Dale's passing. What a guy. I always admired the way Dale handled people. Everyone was on a level playing field with him. No one was better than anyone else. He always made me feel welcome when I came home to visit,and the kindness he extended to my brother John will never be forgotten. The love story that he and Nancy shared was a tribute to the caliber of people they are. A once in a lifetime thing. May his memory live on in our daily actions to one another Maggie Mahoney"

"Nancy, I just learned of Dale's passing, My condolences to you. I considered Dale a good friend, We grew up around the corner from each other and then sort of went different ways when we went to different schools only to be reunited again as TKEs at NMU. For some special reason there was a special bond for those TKE during that 5-7 year period. I usually saw Dale at the bar each time I got back home - the last time was the last TKE reunion. I will always remember Dale and "PJ and the Nighties." God bless you and your family. Dick"

"Nancy..we are so shocked to hear about Dale. Our thoughts are with you and your familty. We have wonderful "Presque Isle" memories. The four of us shared so many great times. Dale will certainly be missed by so many people."