Friends Forever: Local Basketball Standout and World War II Veteran Create Unbreakable Bond

A local high school basketball star is more than just a good story on the court.

Jesse Bergh of Lake Park-Audubon had a unique friendship during his early high school years.
 
The relationship between Lake Park Audubon basketball star Jesse Bergh and the late Wes Ohman is one that is definitely unique…and one that still has an impact on Bergh to this very day.
 
There’s no getting around it, Jesse Bergh is a talented basketball player, but before he started hooping for Lake Park – Audubon, he was putting in a different kind of work for his neighbor Wes Ohman.

“He was like, hey do you want to come help me out? Maybe do some yardwork pick some extra change here and there, and I said, sounds like a good deal to me,” said Jesse.

And from there the friendship took off.

Jesse continued to work for the World War II veteran and the two formed a bond spanning generations.
 
“Oh, he loved having Jesse at the house, because he was a hard worker, and could lift anything , they just really hit it off,” said Wes’ daughter Diane Hughes.

Their friendship was as strong as LPA on court.

While the Raiders were storming through their late season push this past February, Wes finally got to see Jesse at a game, February 11th vs Ada Borup.

“I guess it was just a little bit of extra boost of energy knowing my biggest fan was there,” said Jesse.

Diane adds, “I looked up on the schedule to know when the next home game was and that’s the only one we went to.”

Seven days later, everything changed.

The same day Jesse and the Raiders were finishing their regular season against Rothsay, Wes was diagnosed with leukemia.

“It happened very fast , from diagnosis to death it was 46 days,” said Diane.

During the last month and half of Wes Ohman’s life, Jesse would frequent the hospital and make sure to cherish the last weeks and days of this amazing friendship.

“When he was at Ecumen, Jesse was somewhat of a celebrity. I would go to visit my dad and they would go, ‘Oh that basketball star was here’,” said Diane.

“I was hoping that when I was there, he would forget about being sick and his problems like that,” said Jesse.

But on April 3rd, 2016 Wes passed away, leaving a void in Jesse’s life.

“Sat there and thought about it for a while, kinda felt confused and lost for a bit,” said Jesse.

With Wes gone, not every void is empty.

It’s the lessons learned and advice given that will stay with this young man forever.

“Always look on the brighter side of things , stay positive would be the best thing piece of advice he gave me,” adds Jesse.

When I asked Jesse what he will miss the most about Wes, he said he is going to miss sitting on the porch, drinking ice tea…and shooting the breeze.