Vernon Bergstrom

Bergstrom, Vernon Ernest age 82, of Minneapolis, MN, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2008. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Clara and Ernest Bergstrom; sisters, Delores Carlstrom and Lorraine Schumacher; and brother, Russell Bergstrom. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; sons, Jim (Julie), Dick (Gini) and Ted (Lisa); daughters, Kristin (Tim) Gibbs, Cindy (David) Abbe, and Laurie (Martin) Hancer; 13 grandchildren, Carrie (Jake) Bergstrom-Tyndale, Peter Bergstrom, Jena Yaruso, Bill and Mary Gibbs, Britta and Nathan Abbe, Russell Bergstrom and Adam Bergstrom, Amanda and Megan Hancer, Hazel and Ruby Bergstrom; 2 great-grandchildren, Parker and Madalyn Tyndale; brother, James (Corrine) Bergstrom; brothers-in-law, Walt Schumacher and Dick Carlstrom; sister-in-law, Marlyn Stark; many nieces and nephews, and special friends, Susan, Mark, Faith and Jewell Harden. Vern was a WWII Army Infantry Veteran and member of Disabled American Veterans. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1951, and William Mitchell College of Law in 1957. He served as Director of Lutheran Immigration Services in New York City, directed the Hennepin County League of Municipalities, and joined the Hennepin County Attorney staff under George Scott, serving there for over 20 years as head of the Apellate Department. While working there he formed the Hennepin County Workers softball league, and managed and played on family and church softball teams in the Minneapolis area. After an early retirement, he spent over 20 years wintering in Florida, so he could devote year-round time to his passion for softball. He remained connected to his softball teams through the summer of 2008. He was a long-time member of and volunteer at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church. Vern was an avid writer, contributing many articles to The Cambridge Star and published 4 books on the history of Isanti County, Minnesota, his home county. In the early 1980's he founded Minnesotans Against Gambling, where he actively lobbied for anti-gambling laws in Minnesota and spoke on the topic at many national conventions. He was an active member of the Democratic party, and strongly believed in their policies and practices. Vern enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids and grandchildren, and his feisty personality will be greatly missed by family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to either the American Cancer Society or the Speech and Debate Department at Gustavus Adolphus College. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery 12:00 Noon Monday, Assembly Area #5. Funeral service 9:30 AM Saturday with visitation 1/2 hour prior to the service at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, W. 50th St. & Knox Ave S., Mpls. Visitation 6-8 PM Friday at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Vernon Bergstrom

September 26, 2008

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