Steven Ray Berggren

Steven Ray Berggren passed away on December 27, 2023 at the age of 72. He was born on March 2, 1951 to parents Clarence and Frances (Bergman) Berggren who instilled in him a love for family.

Steve and Joan were married for 45 years and raised three daughters on the farm where Steve grew up, just outside of Wahoo, NE. He is survived by his wife, Joan Berggren, his daughters and sons-in-law Erin and Mike Simons, Emily and Brandon Bliven, and Molly and Kyle Morgan, and his sister Barb Semrad. Steve also took great joy in being a grandfather to six grandchildren, Dylan and Maisy Simons, Ophelia and Oliver Bliven, and Bex and Nolan Morgan who brought immeasurable happiness to his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John Berggren.

Steve worked on the farm throughout most of his life and was later employed by the Saunders County Highway Department. He had a warm personality and a nickname for pretty much everyone he met. He was always there to greet you with a smile and four-and-a-half fingered handshake.

Steve graduated from Weston High School in 1969 and had an endless supply of stories that seemed too unbelievable to be true. Luckily, he also had a core group of fellow Bobcats to back him up and confirm each and every one of them. Though he attended Weston High, he grew to love the Wahoo Warrior athletic program, and rarely missed a basketball or volleyball game. Over the past 40 years, players would come to know that jovial smile and one-of-a-kind handshake, well.

His grandchildren knew him as Papa Steve, but also as the one person in the world that could never quite tell them no. Rain, shine or snow he would take them to the barn to see cats and shoot hoops, fire up his old Ford tractor for a ride, or go throw rocks off the bridge. He lived for attending their events and playing anything and everything they ever asked.

Steve loved Blues and 70s Rock music and attended several concerts with friends through the years.

An open house reception to honor Steve will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at the Wahoo State Bank Shed beginning at 6:30 pm. Friends and family are invited to gather and remember Steve.