David Berggren

David Martin Berggren, 88 years old, passed away at the Clay County Medical Center surrounded by his loving family on March 16, 2025, after a lengthy illness. He was born on July 5, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska, the son of Harlan and Hanna Berggren. The family lived in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado before returning to the family homestead in the Garfield Center community north of Clay Center. David attended Clay Center High School and graduated in 1954.
David married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Pfizenmaier, on December 5, 1954, at the Swedesburg First Lutheran Church, and they continued active membership at Swedesburg Lutheran until their deaths. They were blessed with three children: Steven, Susan, and Stephanie. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
David began working for the Clay Center Dispatch in the summer of 1956 in the printing department. In 1974, David became a photographer at the Dispatch. He also took wedding and senior photos as a sideline and taught a photography class through Cloud County. In 1983, David became the Dispatch's sports editor/photographer, covering sports for area schools, club teams, rec teams, and Kansas State University sports. His association with the press allowed him to photograph many people of notoriety and earned him awards in photography and sports writing. David made the transition from the manual typewriter to the electric typewriter to the computer. He was inducted into the CCCHS Hall of Fame in 2005. He retired from the Dispatch in 2019 after 63 years of joyful dedicated service to small town journalism. David's friendly, sweet, humble, and faithful disposition earned him much respect from the community and many lasting friendships.
Some of David's career accolades were:
*Kansas Press Association, First Place in Sports Photography 1995
*American Legion Certificate of Appreciation
*Honorary letter jacket from the Orange & Black pack & football team 1998
*Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 'Media Person of the Year' 1998
*CCCHS 2001 yearbook is dedicated to David
*Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association 'Sportswriter of the Year' 2002
*CCCHS/KSHAA/National Federation of High Schools-award for exemplary display of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in 2002
*Orange & Black Pack's traveling Spirit Award 2002-2003
Additionally, David was a member of the Army National Guard 137th Infantry from 1956 to 1963. David always had a love for farming from his boyhood days and owned and operated the family farm along with his brother Alan. David was an Honorary FFA Award winner.
David was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 69 1/2 years Shirley; his brother Alan Berggren; and his son Steven.
His legacy lives on through his survivors:
Daughter-in-law: Ruth (Affleck) Berggren of Manhattan
Daughter Susan: Brake and husband Richard of Salina.
Daughter: Stephanie Tharman and husband Steve of Paxico.
Eleven grandchildren: John Berggren (Libby Koerner), Brandon Berggren (Kim), Kristy Lawn (Dave), Dustin Brake (Jaci), Lindsey Brake, Conner Brake (Abby), Bethanie Krinhop (Matt), Blaine Tharman (Aimee Henry), Braden Tharman, Bryce Tharman, and Baylie Tharman and fifteen great grandchildren.
One sister-in-law Shirley Nadine Pfizenmaier and many special nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff at Presbyterian Manor and Clay County Medical Center for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be 4-7 PM Friday, March 21 at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 22 at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center.
Memorials in David's honor will be directed to CCCHS student publications/communications and agriculture departments and for CCCHS scholarships. Checks can be made out to 'David Berggren Memorial' in care of the funeral home.