Duluth Man Presumed Dead by Postal Service Recounts Life

Edward Bersu, 79, has faced numerous family tragedies but continues to persevere.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 12:00am

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Edward Bersu, a 79-year-old man from Duluth, Minnesota, recently recounted his life story, which has been marked by significant personal loss and tragedy. Bersu was presumed dead by the U.S. Postal Service at one point, but he is very much alive and sharing the details of his difficult upbringing and the untimely deaths of both his parents.

Why it matters

Bersu's story highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Despite losing both of his parents at a young age, he has managed to persevere and continue living his life. His experiences also shed light on the challenges faced by those who have lost loved ones, particularly at a young age.

The details

Bersu was only 7 years old when his mother, Ella, died of breast cancer at the age of 42. His father, Thorvald, a shoemaker in Duluth, passed away 5 years later when Bersu was 12, leaving him an orphan. Bersu recalled that his father had been sickly in the last two years of his life, with hypertension and other health issues.

  • Bersu's mother, Ella, died of breast cancer when he was 7 years old.
  • Bersu's father, Thorvald, died 5 years later when Bersu was 12 years old.

The players

Edward Bersu

A 79-year-old man from Duluth, Minnesota who has faced numerous family tragedies but continues to persevere.

Ella Bersu

Edward Bersu's mother, who died of breast cancer at the age of 42 when Edward was 7 years old.

Thorvald Bersu

Edward Bersu's father, a shoemaker in Duluth, who passed away 5 years after his wife's death when Edward was 12 years old.

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What they’re saying

“Her father had died from cancer and her mother had died from breast cancer.”

— Edward Bersu

“He sort of broke down. He had hypertension and I'm not sure what else. The last two years of his life,...”

— Edward Bersu

The takeaway

Bersu's story is a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of immense personal tragedy. Despite losing both of his parents at a young age, he has continued to persevere and live his life, serving as an inspiration to others who have experienced similar hardships.