7/16/1936 – 12/19/2018
Bruce Warren was born Thursday July 16th, 1936 at the Immanuel Hospital in Omaha Nebraska. The second of two healthy sons for Carl and Helen Berggren. Three days later, he was baptized in the hospital. After being released, the family moved from Omaha to Norfolk where they lived until he was seven. Around 1943, his father, a hard working traveling salesman, moved everyone to Lincoln where they would begin a new life in the capitol city. Lincoln was where he eventually went to high school, college, married, raised a family, ministered, and eventually died at 82 years old in hospice care at Tabitha.
Around 1955 Bruce was an active member of First Lutheran Church, where he was friends with a young farm girl named Joan, from the rural area of Walton who moved to the big city to work. Bruce offered her a ride home after a service, but she had to sit in the back seat because he had another friend in the front seat named Millie. While young Joan did appreciate the ride, she eventually took the front seat and became his steady girlfriend. They eventually married on June 3rd, 1960 and continued this union for 58 loving and committed years.
Bruce was a renaissance man in his own right. He took 3rd in the State Gymnastics championships. He was a diligent piano player who practiced 2 hours every day. Taught himself to play guitar, and eventually taught his parishioners. They even started a singing group called The Harvesters. He built his own canoe. He was an avid camper who loved to explore everywhere he went no matter how big or small. Music was always a big part of his days and late nights. He enjoyed Jazz, Classical, Rock and Roll, Folk, Vocal, and even Bagpipes. A booming voice in every sanctuary he visited, Bruce took his double baritone to the stage with the MasterSingers, a prominent choral group . He was a real life artist, ranging from complex calligraphy, intricate doodling and drawing, to many forms of mixed media. Most of which he would give away to friends, family, or waiters at whatever establishment where he was dining. His main focus for many years was biking across the highways of Nebraska, and nicknamed himself “Wind Warrior”, accumulating 3-4 thousand miles a year at his peak.
A Graduate of Lincoln High 1954, University of Nebraska 1958, Augustana Lutheran Seminary 1962, and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1979.
His true calling in life was his work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America as a pastor of 56 years. He served as a full time pastor at seven parishes, and two as a interim later in his career after dipping into retirement age. Immanuel Church and Adullam in Bertrand, St. John in Schuyler, the Lutheran Student Center on the campus of UNL, St. Thomas in Omaha, Calvary in Swedehome (Stromsburg), Grace Lutheran in Hebron, American Lutheran in Cozad, St. Paul In Hickory Grove (Auburn), and Martin Luther in Johnson. Pastor Berggren will be remembered as a loving and active part of his faith and community. He was always evangelizing and wanted to grow his congregations no matter how big or small. Knocking on doors, or visiting the infirm, he was there when his community needed him. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry and took his many years of intense study into every sermon. Every weekend he would submerse himself into his message for Sunday morning. The preparation and editing that he put himself through was a true commitment and his congregation was fully invested in the message.
He will be missed and loved just as he loved those in his life. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents Carl and Helen Berggren, brother Clifford. He will also be reunited with his young son Andrew of Schuyler who met his unfortunate ending at the age of 10 in an childhood accident.
Bruce is survived by his wife Joan (Bank) Berggren of Lincoln; children: daughter Katherine of Kansas City, sons’ Sam (Kelly) of Omaha, David (Denise) of Temple Terrace FL, Thomas of Lincoln; Grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Derek) Cancelliere Natale of Tampa, FL, Rachel (Isaac) Schloss of Omaha, Jacob Berggren of Omaha, Tabitha Thornton of Ellisville, MS, Benjamin Berggren of Temple Terrace, Logan Berggren of Omaha, Keefe Thornton (Malvern, PA), Aidan Berggren of Omaha; Sylas Berggren of Lincoln, and Great-grandchildren: Avery Cancelliere Natale of Tampa.
Memorial Service 10:30 AM Saturday, December 22, 2018 at United Lutheran Church 5945 Fremont Street Lincoln, Nebraska.
Memorials to Lutheran Student Center Lincoln or N.L.O.M.
Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – Gretna Chapel
11710 Standing Stone – Gretna, NE – 402-332-0090
www.RoederMortuary.com
Dear Joan and fam…we learned of Bruce’s service too late and were deeply saddened…he had a true love of life and embraced so much with family and ministry. Joel and i join you all in remembering our times together in Stromsburg…this holiday season was a little less bright because of your loss. Remembering you in prayer, Love, nancy and Joel Schroeder
Just learned of your family’s loss–and Heaven’s gain! I have no doubt that Bruce and Enid are singing loudly with the heavenly choirs and Bill and Bruce are sharing some great laughs! Blessings,
I always knew we would have a lively evening when we got together with the Berggren’ and Turner families. I have great memories of Bruce, his big booming voice and his great laugh. Sending my sympathy to the whole Beeggren family.
Joan and Family,
I have thought of your family so many times over the years and cherish fond memories of the time I spent with you in Schuyler. Pastor Berggren will always be remembered as a good man and loving father, the man who introduced me to the Beatles! I smile as I write that last bit because I still enjoy their music to this day and think of the trip he took Kathy, Charlotte and I to experience in Omaha. He impacted so many lives in such a positive way!
Please accept my condolences.
I am sad and so sorry, Joan and family, to hear of Bruce’s death. I always loved his good sense of humor and just being there for everyone, all of us knowing that he too knew the meaning of suffering and loss and could testify to God’s love and grace for us all. I trusted his friendship and words as I discerned God’s call and always looked forward to seeing you both at the assemblies after you left your call at Grace, Hebron. He graciously impacted the lives of many at Gilead church too as he supervised new interns for the ministry. We send our prayers for the comfort and peace you need in your loss and grief. My prayers that God’s promise and sure hope will be yours as you grieve and that this Christmas will be felt as your family and others give the hugs needed. Immanuel – God is with you always. May he keep you in his care. In loving friendship, Connie Raess (and Jim too)
For Joan & family, our prayers for peace & finding comfort in the promises of God are with you all. Pastor Berggren had a lasting influence on my life as he served God as faithfully as he knew how. Once he told me a Christmas sermon should be three words “He is born!” And Easter similarly “He is risen!” When I became a pastor I thought of that every Christmas & Easter. And though we ponder the depth of God’s love for this broken world, we are convinced God is God and we’re not. Bruce will be sadly missed, even as we find solace through Christ’s love. In sympathy, Sylvia & Lynn
My condolences to Joan and the Berggren family. I grew up in Schuyler, NE where Pastor Berggren was our minister at St. John’s Lutheran in the 1970’s. Pastor Berggren was a great mentor to me and so many others. His high energy level and love for God had tremendous influence on all of us. I felt privileged to have Pastor lead us through the three years of catechism as we were in our early teens. I was so happy for him when he reached the goal of becoming Pastor of the Lutheran Student Center in Lincoln. The lives he touched is incredible. Pastor Berggren followed our lives into adulthood. I became a teacher and coach and he surprised me by attending several of our football games. It was always so good to see him and visit before or after the contest. Whether we won or lost, Pastor made me feel like a winner having known him. We will miss you Pastor Berggren, hopefully your family can take comfort in the positive impact you had on so many of God’s children.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I remember Pastor as a young man serving Immanuel in Bertrand.
Joan and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Joan and family;
I have many fond memories of listening to music with Pastor in his office at St. John’s in Schuyler. His office and his heart were always open to all who needed someone to talk to. Kent Burkholder and I always enjoyed our visits with Pastor. He was a fine man and he will be missed by many.
Again, my condolences to you and your family.