BERGSTROM, Rodney

BERGSTROM, BENGSTON, JONES, GRAVENISH, WILLIAMS, DUCKWORTH, VAUGHAN, SIMM, DONLEY

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 12/4/2008 at 14:15:17

Cherokee Chronicle Times, Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Rodney Bergstrom, 54, of rural Cleghorn, died Sunday Nov. 23, 2008 at his home following a lengthy illness.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday Nov. 29 at the Cherokee V.F.W. Hall in Cherokee. Rodney's wishes were to be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenwood Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Rodney was born on May 25, 1954 in Cherokee to Vernon "Gus" and Marlyce (Bengtson) Bergstrom. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, and graduated from Washington High School in Cherokee in 1973. He moved to Eden Prairie, Minn. and worked for the Sanitary Service for ten years, then returned to Cherokee and worked for Lundell Construction and Sanitary Services. Rodney also drove a truck off and on.

Rodney enjoyed antiquing, cutting scrap iron, and was also a collector of "fine" junk. He enjoyed his annual "Rodstock" festival. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends, sharing a beer and a few laughs. He looked forward to Saturdays to spend time with his grandson Carson. Rodney and Carson liked to hang out in the shop together and ride the golf cart. Rodney was known for his quick wit. He was a member of the Little Sioux Wildlife Association. Rodney also helped advance cancer research by participating in clinical trials at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Gus and Hannah Bergstrom and Manny and Esther Bengtson.

He is survived by his special family, Denise Jones of Cleghorn; Andy Jones and his wife, Jessica, and their child Carson of Cherokee; two sisters, Tami Gravenish and her husband, Dennis "Bim", of Cherokee; Julie Williams and her husband, Doug, of Campbellsville, Ky.; two nieces, Heather Duckworth of Waterloo; Jodie Vaughan of Severance, Colo.; his in-laws, Amber Simm, Ronda Simm, Dawn and Tom Donley, Dan Simm, Scott and Rose Simm.