Willadean W. Berglund

Willadean W. Berglund (born Willadean Zola Weber), aged 102 years, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 8, 2022. Willadean was born in her childhood home in Northeast Kansas City on November 26, 1919, the only child of Zola and William Weber. She attended local schools in Northeast Kansas City, and loved her old neighborhood her whole life. She visited it a few months ago and recalled all the old places of childhood with perfect clarity. After studying at Kansas State University, she worked at the Lake City Ammunition Plant, where she met her husband-to-be, Joseph Knute Berglund. She then moved to Trans World Airlines, becoming a stewardess. Bright, capable and extremely well-organized, she took on the role of training new stewardess. She resigned her job to marry Joe on January 10, 1948. She was an active member of Clipped Wings, the association of former TWA stewardesses, until very late in her long life.

Willadean was a gifted athlete, active in tennis as a youngster and playing golf well into her 80s. She and Joe were members of Blue Hills Country Club for many decades. Joe passed away on December 17, 2002, after 54 years of marriage.

Willadean was an indefatigable volunteer, serving in the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary for many decades, going back to the 1950s, before detailed records were kept. She was on duty in surgical and other waiting rooms around the hospital, and worked tirelessly to support services in the hospital chapel. She was for many years an active member and volunteer at All Saints Episcopal Church in Kansas City, where she and Joe gave the church the Stations of the Cross. She lived most of her life in Leawood, driving until well into her 90s. She moved to Bishop Spencer Place in 2010.

Willadean was a woman of exceptional energy and warmth. She and her husband Joe were not blessed with children, but were second parents to the nine children of John and Pat Waters, their closest friends. She was adored and loved by the nine Waters children and their families, and by everyone who experienced her genuine, outgoing and positive spirit. She had an extraordinary network of friends of all ages in Kansas City and beyond. She will be missed by everyone who had the blessing of knowing her.

A Celebration of Willadean's Life will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 13, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri 64113. Interment services will be held at a later date in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to: Saint Luke's Foundation 901 E. 104th St., #100S, Kansas City, MO 64131. (816-932-2252) ([email protected])