Edythe Berglund

The earthly life of Edythe Griste Berglund came to a close on June 2, 2022. Family and friends will sing to the glory of God and celebrate Edythe’s life at the First Baptist Church, McPherson, Kan. at 6 p.m., Sunday, July 10.

Edythe was born to Isabella LaVecchia and W.E. Griste on Oct. 2, 1926 in Philadelphia, Penn. Edythe was a joyful and energetic child. In her later years, while reminiscing about her parents’ love for her, she spoke fondly of her Mother’s Italian heritage, her four siblings around the dinner table enjoying weekly spaghetti dinners, and her father’s Southern hospitality. A portion of those early years were spent in Philadelphia's South Philly Italian Enclave before the family moved to West Philadelphia, where she graduated from Overbrook High School.

Upon graduation, Edythe received an award for excellence in commercial studies and a Sigma Delta honor award, which led her to work for Curtis Publishing in downtown Philadelphia from 1944 through 1947. As president of the youth group at Mary A. Simpson Methodist Church in West Philly, she met and in 1947 married Howard Berglund, a student from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary who was serving as the church’s pastoral intern. Howard and Edythe were  partners for 69 years.

The couple served several churches in Winner/Dixon Parish in South Dakota, in Wichita Kan., McPherson Kan. and in Fresno Calif., - before retirement in 1987, following 40 years of active ministry together. During those final years in Fresno, Howard and Edythe served on the pastoral staff with their son Brad.  They retired in 1990 in Lindsborg, Kan., living in a house designed and built by son Mark. They thrived in the relationships established in each of their churches. Edythe loved church events, teaching Sunday School, working with young people, potlucks, singing in the choir and taking care of church members. She volunteered for the thrift store in Lindsborg throughout retirement. An active person until the end, she loved the Jersey shore, swimming and walking.

Howard and Edythe moved to Denver to be closer to son Brad and his family beginning March 1, 2014. Granddaughter Brianna Friend served as primary caregiver for Howard until his death in 2017 and for Edythe until her death on June 2 this year. .

The Berglunds have two sons, Mark who died in 2019 and Brad; daughter-in-law Rita, four granddaughters and eight great grandchildren: Sunday and Garrett Thompson, Greyson Lee and Jocelyn Opal of Bastrop, Texas; Lacey and Mike Dunn, Allison Jane and Andrew James of Manhattan, Kan.; Brittany and Dustin Unruh, Cade Monroe and Bryn Carabel of Canton, Kan.; Brianna and Sean Friend, Quinn Alexei and Rory Mikhail of Denver, Colo.; and one grandson, Brandon, who died July 13, 2009 having lived for 20 years with the results and challenges of brain cancer.

Suggested Memorial:

The Memorial Fund, Calvary Baptist Church of Denver  www.calvarydenver.org
(Checks to Calvary Baptist Church. Memo line - Edythe Berglund Memorial)