John R. Berggren

John R. Berggren was born February 10, 1948 in Lincoln to Clarence and Frances (Bergman) Berggren. After attending Kennedy College in Wahoo for one year, John began a varied and interesting career path. He worked, for a time, at Hakel's service station and then entered the grocery business at Hinky Dinky. John then began farming near Weston. He later sold used cars at his dealership, Weston Auto Sales. On July 10, 1971, John married Maryann Pokorny at Bethesda Covenant Church in Malmo. Together they raised six children. Being a true "kid at heart" was an asset to John as a father. He spent a great deal of time with his kids coaching boys basketball and baseball teams, playing "horse" around the basketball hoop in the driveway, and helping them show horses and cattle. On family vacations to Estes Park and other locales, John really got into the game and engaged with his children in bumper cars, swimming pools, and in whatever way put him in the middle of the fun. He enjoyed showing cattle and horses and most of the family vacations centered around Progress Shows, Horse Shows, and County Fairs. John was a "people person". Virtually everywhere he went, someone would call out his name and they would spend time together talking and catching up. He was a jokester and always had a joke to share – usually one of the long, storied kind. His friendly personality allowed him to connect on a personal level with everyone he met. John served on multiple boards throughout his life including both District 24 and Prague School Boards, the Mariposa Precinct Board, Weston Rural Fire District Board, the Nebraska Simental Board, Malmo Cemetery Board, and the Saunders Medical Center Board of Directors. John also served on the Bethesda Covenant Church and Edensburg Lutheran Church Councils. John is survived by his wife Maryann Berggren of Weston; children Joel (Lisa) Berggren of Pleasanton, Amy (Ryan) Denton of Lincoln, Allison (Chad) Koranda of Wahoo, Jeremy (Stacy) Berggren of Weston, Alicia (Tim) Hoops of Windsor, CO, Ashley (Tim) Laudenback of Omaha; his brother Steve (Joan) Berggren of Wahoo; sister Barbara Semrad of Wahoo; grandchildren Jack and CeCe Berggren, Mason and Kenzie Koranda, Jaden and Tenley Berggren, Isabella and Drake Hoops; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Those who have preceded John in death include his parents; infant sister Connie Jo Berggren; father and mother-in-law Stanley and Frances Pokorny; brothers-in-law Elmer Semrad, Johnny Pokorny; sisters-in-law Betty Jane Pokorny and Joyce Pokorny. Serving as Casket Bearers will be Craig Frenzen, Kent Frenzen, Brett Holtorf, Brandon Holtorf, Mark Rosencrantz, Jacob Pokorny, Caleb Pokorny, and Ben Pokorny. Honorary Casket Bearers are John and Venita Wotipka, Ron and Deb Paseka, and Ron and Sherri Meduna. Memorials may be made in John's honor to American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.