David John Berggren, Sr.

David John Berggren Sr., 86 of Vero Beach, passed away on Thursday April 21, 2016 at home with his family present.

He was born in Fairview, South Dakota on January 28, 1930 and moved with his family in 1935 to Vero Beach where they opened Berggren�s 5 & 10. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1953 to 1955.

In 1958, he started Berggren Equipment Company in Fort Pierce, enlarging the John Deere dealership to four locations: Fort Pierce, Okeechobee, Stuart and Vero Beach. Dave was owner/manager of the dealerships for 43 years.

From 2003 to 2010 he managed Berggren�s Hobbies in Vero Beach.

Following his parents� guide as they were founding members of Grace Lutheran Church, he served in many capacities as president of the congregation, financial secretary, Voter Assembly secretary, head usher, Sunday school teacher and others.

A graduate of Vero Beach High School in 1948, he received a Bachelor�s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1953. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He used his lunchtime to participate in the Senior Olympics Swimming Program and took many courses at Indian River Community College from 1962 to 1994. In the 80�s he volunteered as a driver with the Vero Beach Ambulance Squad. He was a former member of Rotary International in Ft. Pierce and served as President of the Florida/Georgia Equipment Dealers in the 70�s.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Peggy Whittier Berggren; two sons, David John Jr. (Jennifer) and Mark Eric (Carol); sister, Audrey Berggren Park of Ft. Pierce; brother, Maynard (Jan) of Brandon, and 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Frances Berggren; his brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Shirley Berggren and his brother-in-law John B. Park.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to: VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach FL 32960; Grace Lutheran Church, 1150 41st Ave, Vero Beach FL 32960; or Shiloh Youth Ranch, 10655 Roseland Road, Sebastian FL 32958.

Family visitation will be held on April 29, Friday night from 5 to 7 at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, 1655 27th St, Vero Beach, FL. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 1150 41st Ave, Vero Beach, FL.