Rodney Franklin Bergstrom

Preceded in death by Parents; Robert and Marion Bergstrom, Sisters; Barbara Myers, and Jeanine Lind.

Survived by Wife of 54 years; Carol Bergstrom, Daughter; Susan Greeley, Sons; Keith and Richard Bergstrom, Grandchildren; Jacob and Jessica Greeley, Brothers; Robert and Russell (Susan) Bergstrom, Sister; Holly Pulju and many nieces and nephews, and his Cat; Wild Willy.

Rod was a Vietnam Veteran, 18th Military Police Brigade, Company C 504th MPBN, serving from September 29, 1965 to February 16, 1967, as a Military Police Officer. He retired from the City of St. Paul Fire Department with the rank of Captain, serving for 25 years.

Rod spent a lot of his time at the family cabin, on Island Lake, in Hibbing, Minnesota. The cabin has been in the Bergstrom family since he was about 10 years old, with a long family history. Over the years at the cabin, he enjoyed working on projects, pontooning, water skiing, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and relaxing. He enjoyed bonfires, margs and time with family and friends down by the lake.

He mastered and loved building construction. He remodeled his house several times and built his shop in Maplewood, MN. He helped build his sister and brother in law's house in Shoreview, helped his kids and grandkids with their building upgrades, and countless other remodels and building projects.

He had a love of old tractors and farm equipment. Rod was an active member of the Almelund Threshing Company, since 1990. Rod had a part in creating and constructing many projects and buildings on the show grounds, while spending time with friends and family. He would also help his son Keith on his hobby farm, utilizing the antique tractors to grow crops.

He put his mechanical knowledge to use with his involvement in stock car racing, snowmobiles, tractors, off road trucks, boats, daily drivers, ATV's, motor homes, small engines, diesel mechanics and anything else he chose to work on.

He had many passions, including family activities and gatherings, traveling, hunting, fishing, firearms, wood and metal working, mechanics, construction, history, among other things. Rod was a quiet man of few words until you could get him to open up about a topic he enjoyed. Rod was always willing to help and teach his friends and family about what he was capable of doing and how to fix things around the house and in his shop.

Rod received the gift of love of reading from his mother, Marion. He was an avid reader with hundreds of books in his collection, with a wide variety of topics.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the doctors and nurses for all the wonderful care over the years, and greatly improving his quality of life.

Rod, his advice, stories, and recollection of the way things were, will be missed by everyone.

Services will be held on Sunday April 7, 2024 at Christ Lutheran Church, 2475 17th Ave E. North St. Paul, MN 55109. Visitation from 12:30-2:00pm with a service at 2:00pm. Burial at Fort Snelling, April 11th at 11:00am.