Rollin Berglund

Rollie Berglund, age 90, died on Monday, February 19 in St. Cloud, MN.  WW II Veteran serving in the US Navy, Seabees.

He is preceded in death by wife Carol, son Tim Berglund, grandson Jeffrey Small, parents Roy Berglund and Clarice (Forsgren) Yerigan.

Rollie is survived by his children; Karen (Rick) Small of Sauk Centre, John of Minneapolis, James (Carol Sherwood) of St. Louis Park, Margo (John) Suhr of Plymouth and Lawrence (Dawn) of Alexandria; grandchildren, Andrea (Bryan) Carlson, Abigail (David) Malkerson, John (Savannah) Small, Joel (Kymberly) Small, Nathan (Toni) Berglund, Jennifer Berglund (Dennis Hansen), Stephanie Gillane, Stephen Berglund, Kristine (Tal) Devens, Matthew (Melissa Moore) Berglund and Corrin Berglund;  22 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren and brother Charles Yerigan.

Rollie grew up in rural Nelson before joining the US Navy, Seabees. He served in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, Manus Island and Admiralties Island. In 1950 he married Carol St. Arnaud and lived in Austin and then Coon Rapids where they raised their family. In 1980 he and Carol returned to the family farm in rural Nelson to care for his ailing father.

He worked in the glass business for over 50 years beginning his career as a Glazier at Austin Glass in Austin, Ford McNutt Glass in Minneapolis and finally Alex Glass and Glazing in Alexandria where he retired in 2011. He is a former member of Glaziers Union 1324 and proud member of Coon Rapids American Legion #0334, Coon Rapids VFW #9625 and Alexandria Eagles #3063.

Those who knew Rollie knew of his strong work ethic and business knowledge.  He was probably better known for his love of a good joke.  He always had a funny story or joke to share, mainly on an unsuspecting audience.  He completed crossword puzzles in ink and enjoyed every John Sandford or William Kent Krueger book. While at the farm he planted row upon row of vegetables, peonies, irises and pumpkins. His grandkids were frequently at the farm where he kept chickens and ducks and gave the kids rides behind the lawn tractor.  He loved his family.

After selling the farm, Rollie and Carol moved to Alexandria.  They always had a puzzle on the table, a full candy dish and fresh baked cookies.  After Carol’s death in 2015, Rollie continued to live independently until 2017 when a fall prompted him to move to assisted living. A sudden illness sent him to the St. Cloud Hospital where he was unable to recover.  Over the past two weeks his family had the honor of spending many hours with him including his newest two week old great granddaughter.  He remained cheerful and uncomplaining till the end. His loss is deeply felt.

A private family service will be held at a later time.

“The dead are never far from us. They're in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air.”
― William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace