1920 – Theodore Alfred Berglund – 2016
Theodore Alfred Berglund was born at rural Wilmont, Minnesota the first of six children to August Berglund and Bertha Peterson on September 7, 1920. He attended country school #70 and graduated from eighth grade. He continued helping on the family farm until he was drafted into the Army on September 4, 1942. Ted served in the 2192 Quartermaster Trucking Co. Aviation as a truck driver hauling bombs and airplane motors in the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns, doing painting and stenciling trucks and office duties as well. He earned several citations for outstanding performance, “above and beyond the call of duty.” He returned to the Iona – Slayton, Minneota area where he farmed until 1989. He married the love of his life, Vesta Marie Carney, on August 30, 1952. They lived south of Slayton. Ted was a grateful member of Slayton Alcoholics Anonymous for 35 years having given his heart to the Lord on December 18, 1978 on Vesta’s 43rd birthday. He served as a church usher or greeter in every church they attended until his death. He joyfully served as livestock and grounds keeper at Sunshine Bible Academy from 1990 to 1992. At Crofton, Nebraska he was the middle school janitor whose windows sparkled so that they “borrowed” him to do the HS and Elementary glass as well. In 1993 they settled in Bancroft, Iowa where he was a member of American Legion Post #377. Since fall of 1994 he volunteered at the Senior Dining faithfully counting the money daily. During his retirement years he sawed and split wood to heat their home and proudly tended his yard and houseplants while watching the birds and squirrels with occasional trips to see kids and grand kids. Following their 50th Anniversary they took an Am Track tour to see extended family in the fall of 2003. Ted went on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC from Southwest, MN September 30, 2010. His oldest son Lloyd accompanied him as a member of the medical team. As Lloyd described it, “Dad’s feet haven’t touched ground since we landed.” Theodore A. Berglund (Teddy Berglund) 95, quietly passed to his eternal reward July 2, 2016 at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona, lowa surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Left to cherish his memory are: his wife Vesta, Bancroft, lA; Lloyd (Shirley), Baltic, SO; Christine Haack (Jim Gabrielson), Roseville, MN; Elizabeth Summer (Bill Linscott), Vesta, MN; Louise (Tim) Meyer, Heron Lake, MN; and Deryl Berglund, Bancroft, lA; 12 grandchildren; 16 greats; siblings: Aletha DeYonge, Staples, MN; Bernard Berglund, Slayton, MN; Alvina Kadus, Pillager, MN; and LeeRoy Berglund, Slayton, MN. Ted was preceded in death by his mother and father; mother and father-in-law; grandparents; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; great grandson Hunter Stuckey and brother Albert Berglund (February 23, 2016).
A Celebration of his Life will be held September 4, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at Algona Faith Assembly of God, 716 E. McGregor in Algona, lowa followed by church with a brunch in his honor at 12 noon. Family and friends will proceed to 450 Main in Chandler, MN for a short service at Chandler Community Center at 4:00 p.m. followed by Ted’s favorite meal. Interment at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on the East hill by Chandler, MN.
In lieu of flowers at Ted’s celebration both at Algona” IA and Chandler, MN the family prefers memorial gifts be sent to: Vesta Berglund at 406 N. Portland St. Bancroft, lA. Gifts will be given to Ted and Vesta’s favorite ministry, The Gideons International, to purchase Scriptures.
