Harley Ellsworth Bergren

Bergren, Harley was born Mar. 22, 1917 to Gustav Luther & Carrie Bergren on the family farm in Stanton, Iowa. He passed away peacefully Mar. 19, 2021 at Friendship Village in Bloomington, Minnesota. Harley was the third of six children. He is survived by 29 family members: son, Gary (Helen) Bergren; daughter, Patricia (Dennis) Morrow. Also survived by five grandchildren, Paul (Laura) Bergren, Allan (Theresa) Bergren, Sarah (David) Landt, Gretchen (Aaron) Merritt, David (Erica) Morrow; and 15 great-grandchildren: Samuel Landt, Cecilia Bergren, Haley Bergren, Elizabeth Landt, Elena Bergren, Nathan Bergren, Graham Landt, Junia Morrow, Shiloh Landt, Noah Morrow, Logan Merritt, Reese Merritt, Isaac Morrow, Nora Merritt, & Vivienne Merritt. He graduated from Essex (Iowa) high school in 1934 and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the start of World War II. He served in North Africa and Europe as an aircraft mechanic. Following the war, Harley moved back to the midwest where he met his future wife, Elizabeth Riddell, a teacher in Omaha, NE. Harley and Elizabeth married on August 20, 1943. They had two children, Gary and Pat. Harley's career took them from Nebraska to Iowa to Minnesota, where he and Elizabeth founded Power Systems, a hydraulics business. They both led the business until they retired. As a couple, they enjoyed international travel, dancing, golf and playing bridge with their many friends. After Elizabeth's passing in 2001, Harley remained active with his personal and professional interests, especially the St Louis Park Rotary Club and Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church. In 2002, he met and married Verna Wilson on December 29, surrounded by their families. Harley and Verna enjoyed seven sweet years together, loving to dance, travel, and watch sports on TV. Verna died in 2009. Until Covid, Harley had monthly luncheons and dinners with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He loved to ask questions, get to know the lives of those he loved, and encourage all of us to live generous and productive lives. Harley was generous toward others - locally and internationally. Memorials preferred to Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church (nhumc.net); Friendship Village (friendshipvillagemn.com); or to the donor's choice

Tributes

Harley Ellsworth Bergren

March 22, 1917 - March 19, 2021

Tributes

Harley Ellsworth Bergren

March 22, 1917 - March 19, 2021

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