Gary Berggren

Gary Lee Berggren, 73, of Independence, MO passed away Thursday, December 3, 2015. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm Monday, December 7th, at Carson Speaks Chapel. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am Tuesday, December 8th at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with Honors.
Gary was born January 16, 1942 in Bellville, KS to Grace (Townsend) and Lester Berggren. He was also raised by his beloved stepfather, Henry Pedersen. After school he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was given a Certificate of Honor after saving a man’s life during service. He met his beloved Dianna (Hartman) in California. They married on August 19, 1960 in Downey, CA and together raised three children. He was a hardworking provider. Gary worked for Shipping utilities starting as a shop mechanic and eventually earning his way to Service Manager. He also owned Midway Forklift providing maintenance to machinery. For seven years before retirement he was a truck driver. He was a devoted father and often took his children to watch truck pulls, took them fishing, and shared stories with them. He also enjoyed hunting pheasant and quail with his beloved bird dog, Buckshot. His family remembers this character as a loving jokester. Gary is loved and will be missed.
Survivors include daughter Sherry Lorimar and husband Paul of Archie, MO; daughter, Deanna Bracken and husband Ronald of Kansas City, KS; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and sister, Iona “Tootie” Johnson and husband Glenn of Beatrice, NE. He was preceded in death by son, Rodney Lee in 2010 and wife, Dianna in 2014. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)