Jeanne Marie Berglund

Born in 1931 in Chicago, she became the first member of her family to graduate college, earning a bachelors in economics from the College of St. Francis where she was elected senior class president. After working for three years, she married Bert Berglund, a 48-year marriage that lasted until his death in 2004; with him, she raised four children in Chicago, Downers Grove and Dundee, IL. Upon retiring, she and Bert moved to Monroe, WI where she lived for 18 years until moving to Champaign, IL and then Peoria.

Mom enjoyed bringing order out of chaos. She turned her affinity for numbers into a successful career as a bookkeeper for a number of organizations, including a local school district, dentist's office and for 12 years with Samata Design. She renovated a farmhouse built around 1850 that some family and friends thought was beyond saving, and she enjoyed weeding in her flower beds because she said you could see the progress you were making.

She was never afraid to have an opinion or to express it whether it was to the local school board in the 1970s about unequal treatment between female and male athletes or to the restaurant server about the delicious breakfast she had just had. She had high standards for herself and expected others to meet those as well and those that didn't meet those standards, well, she wasn't shy about letting them know that.

Mom was not big for sitting still. She balanced raising kids with volunteering (including with the schools the children attended, the Altar and Rosary Society, League of Women Voters, Dundee Historical Society, the Dundee Women's Club, and the Questers) and part-time and then full-time work. At the end of the day, she'd catch up with the local newspaper and read a book. In her free-time, she enjoyed bridge, betting on the horses, watching sports, going to auctions, Jeopardy, the Jumble, a good gin martini and traveling, although in her 40s, she told Bert she'd pass on any more camping trips.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert; her parents, Lois (Stebbins) and Fred Schwinn; and, her siblings, Sister Mary DePaul and Fred Schwinn, Jr. She is survived by her four children: Eric (Tania Moody); Chris (Phil) Stenger; Paul (Susan Altese); and, Dan; four grandchildren: Tara (Matt); Anna; Kyle; and, Katie; and one great-grandchild, Ivy. The family will hold a private service at a later time.

Jeanne leaves behind a family at Lutheran Hillside Village who cared for her even when she could be difficult and like her children still loved her. Those caregivers are forever in our hearts, particularly Judy, Carolyn, Kristin, Ruby, Makyia and Kenny; we know there are so many others there who loved her as their own, and we never got a chance to know them like she did, but we say thank you.

In Jeanne’s memory, play a game of cards, have a good drink, engage in a discussion about current events (politely), or call a loved one.

Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorials contributions may be made in her honor to Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation, the League of Women Voters or the Monroe (WI) Arts Center.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com