Obituary

Sunrise: June 10, 1939 – Sunset: August 26, 2019.

Rodney passed Monday, August 26, 2019, in Everett, WA. The last days of his life he was surrounded by family and friends.

A more kind, loving and giving soul we will never know again.

He was born in Bellingham, WA, to Ole Bergstrom & Fern (Bruce) Bergstrom. He was the youngest of 5 children.

Rod graduated from Bellingham High School, home of the Bellingham Red Raiders, in 1957.

In his teen years, he worked at The Valley Market and for the State of Bellingham maintaining city parks.

He moved to Seattle in his early 20’s where he spent most of his young adult life. He married and had 3 children, Diana Lyn, Michael Scott and Lori Lee. He spent his career at Western Electric/AT&T, and was warehouse manager when he retired at the ripe young age of 50.

Rod coached his son’s soccer team for several years. He was an incredible mentor and leader, making a lasting impact on many of his players.

He raised all of his kids in sports, driving them to their practices and games, cheering from the sidelines at every event. He continued this when his children were grown, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, and any other activity they were involved in.

He enjoyed gardening and keeping his yard beautiful, always the nicest on the block. Working as a groundskeeper during his youth and on the family farm contributed to this.

He had a great love of country music, and was always singing! He loved cars and had a few pretty special ones. In his younger years he belonged to a car club, “The Twilighters”.

He was also quite the jokester. Sharing all of his silly jokes and riddles with his family… and pretty much whoever else would listen! Always putting a smile on someone’s face.

Rod gave everyone a nickname, making them feel special and included. That is who he was.

Rodney married the love of his life, Gloria Norman, on October 31st, 1999. They lived in Everett, WA, and had 20 wonderful years together. Gloria was by his side always, taking care of him till the very end.

There are so many words to describe this wonderful man: giving, thoughtful, humble, kind, hardworking, reliable, sweet, funny, silly, quiet, mentor, coach, strong… but if you had to pick just one word to describe him, it would definitely be Family.

Family was everything to him. The most important thing. He passed this on to his children and grandchildren as well. Family first, always. He made sure every holiday and birthday and special occasion was a celebration, with everyone in attendance. We will carry on all his traditions, knowing he is still right here with us.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Ole, and brothers, Rawland Barhalls and Gerald Bergstrom (in infancy).

He leaves behind his beautiful wife Gloria, sister Joan Cooper and brother Roy Bergstrom. His children: daughter Diana Bergstrom and wife Diana Erickson; son Michael Bergstrom and wife Marla (Berry) Bergstrom; daughter Lori Bergstrom; stepson Justin Snyder and wife Tammie (Coker) Snyder.  Grandchildren: Meghan, Ryanne, Michael, Savanna, Christopher, Jaclyn and Logan. Five beautiful great granddaughters and a handful of nieces and nephews.

As far as this family is concerned, there never was a greater man.

We will be celebrating his life at one o’clock in the afternoon, on Friday, October 4th.

Service will be held at Bayview Cemetery, 1420 Woburn Street, Bellingham, WA, 98229.

A reception will be immediately following.

All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s research.