Will Rogers Berggren

Will Rogers Berggren, 78, of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

A memorial service was held Friday, May 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church with the Rev. Elliot Pancoast officiating. Visitation was held beforehand.

Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Fredericksburg Funeral Home.

Berggren was born Aug. 22, 1935, in Dallas, the son of Aurtur Berggren and Flora Hildebrand Berggren, and was named after the cowboy philosopher Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash the week before.

He married Lynn Jahns on April 20, 1984, in Hobbs, New Mexico, and she survives.

Berggren spent his early years in Dallas before moving to West Texas where he attended Odessa High School.

Upon graduation from Texas Western College in El Paso where he was a yell leader and president of his class, Berggren returned to Odessa to help with his family’s flower shop.

Over the years, he was a part of the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Permian Playhouse and Compassionate Friends.

He moved to Gillespie County in the early 1980s.

In addition to his wife, Berggren is survived by six children and spouses, including Will Berggren and Wylie Berggren, both of Odessa; David and Connie Whiting of Fredericksburg; Russ Whiting of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Robin and Mark Montgomery of Richardson, and Brian and Cyndi Whiting of Monte Negro.

Survivors also include 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Berggren was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Wendy Berggren; one grandson, Luke Whiting, and one brother, Kenneth Berggren.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church or to the charity of choice.