Louis Edgar Bergren was born at the Bergren family farm near Biggsville on Nov. 7, 1924, in the same bedroom in which his father was born. He was the son of Charles Edgar and Ethel Elizabeth (Van Tuyl) Bergren.

At an early age he developed an interest in 4-H. He earned awards with several livestock projects. His Guernsey cattle project grew from one Guernsey heifer calf into a prize-winning herd of registered Guernsey cattle on his dairy farm. While farming he was also active on the board of directors of the Prairie Farms Creamery Co-op, Henderson County Farm Bureau and Boone County Farm Bureau.

He married Vera Hughbanks on May 18, 1947, in London Mills. Louis, Vera and their five sons left the family farm so that Louis could return to college, where he completed his Master of Science degree from Northern Illinois University.

He was able to maintain his love of animal husbandry through his early professional career as manager at Northern Illinois Breeding Cooperative. He also worked with ranchers in South Dakota, assisting in the development of an artificial cattle-insemination program, and was an early leader in the Red and White Holstein Association. Lastly, he retired from NIU as director of Investments and Cash Management in the controller's office after 25 years of employment.

After retirement, he and Vera enjoyed travel to Scandinavia, Great Britain, Germany and Russia, as well as Hawaii and other states of interest.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church in DeKalb, where he served as an usher and on various committees throughout the years. He was an adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 33, sponsored by First Lutheran, and served as treasurer for more than 40 years. The Boy Scouts of America honored Lou with the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to youth. He was proud that his five sons and two grandsons were able to achieve Eagle Scout rank.

He was also a charter member of the Noon Lions Club of DeKalb. He served in many capacities over 28 years including our club president during the 1989-1990 program year.

He is survived by his wife, Vera, and five sons, Charles (Martha Dewey) of Chicago, Bruce of Homewood, Mark (Susan Hain) of Naperville, Kent (Teresa Mark) of Park Ridge and Craig of Schaumburg. Also surviving are four grandsons, Peter (fiancée, Michelle Kaiser) of Chicago, Phillip (Morgan) Carey-Bergren of Chicago, Daniel of Park Ridge and Jordan of Homewood; three granddaughters, Katherine of Chicago, Margaret of Naperville and Stephanie of Park Ridge; as well as seven nieces and nephews, Glenn Anderson, Clyde Anderson, Ruthann Goelitz, Susan Ladford, Betty Anderson, Marcia Nadolski and Sara Inzerello. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Ruth Bergren (T.W.) Anderson.

A memorial service was held at First Lutheran Church in DeKalb. Interment of Lou's cremated remains took place on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 at Biggsville Cemetery in Biggsville, Illinois.