Sven Evert Sixten Berggren

Sven Evert Sixten “Morfar” Berggren passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at his home in Rockford. He was 84. Sven was born June 5, 1931 in Sweden to Willhelm and Ellen, the youngest of 14 children. After he joined the Merchant Marines in 1945, which saw him travel abroad, Sven settled in Rockford in 1950, sponsored by sister Elsa and her husband Swan Johnson.

He married Edna Marie Schavland in DeKalb, July 11, 1959 at First United Methodist Church. Edna was the love of his life and best friend who was with him to his final day.

Sven served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War at the Medical Detachment’s 8th Evacuation Hospital in Germany, earning an Honorable Discharge in 1955.

Sven worked as an electrician for Mattison Machine Works, Zimmerman Electric, Commercial Refrigeration, and finally his own business, 3-D Electric, for 42 years, retiring in 1996.

A member of the Christ United Methodist Church, Sven was also a member of the Vasa and Harmony clubs, played and officiated soccer and hockey, and loved to play his accordion for friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Edna; daughters Lynn (Vince) O’Connor, Britt (Mike) Fleming, and Cindy (Steve) Casper; grandchildren John "JP" Fleming, Katie (Beau) Boykin, Emily O’Connor, Maggie O’Connor, Krystin (John) Ewing, Kyle Becker, Katie Fleming, Sven Casper, and Gwendolyn Casper; great-granddaughters Charlie Mae and Violet Lane; sister-in-law Jean Berggren; special nephews Gunnar Goranson and Tord Hanfast (both of Sweden); brother- and sister-in-law Andy (Vern) Schavland; and special friends Dave and Elaine Akerlund, Anders and Arline Gredenius, Jill and Mark Wirfs, Roy Yilitalo, and the Swedish Mafia.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, including brother “Benny” (Gösta).

A service at Christ United Methodist, 4509 Highcrest Road, begins with a visitation at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. Lunch is to follow.

The family would like to thank Julie, Michelle, Amy, Paula and Ken of Northern Illinois Hospice; Mike Alongi for his gift of song in Sven’s final days; and Pastor Scott Himel for his comfort and faith.

Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Il 61108. – Send online condolence to www.fitzgeraldfh.com