Carol Jean Berggren

March 21, 1943 – July 14, 2005

Carol Jean was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Benedetto and Julia (Pizzirulli) DiProva on March 21, 1943. She had one sibling, an older sister Mary Ann who is married to Joseph Bakes.

On April 19, 1969 she married John Edwin Berggren at the St. Mary of Celle Church in Berwyn, Illinois. Together they had three children:

• John Andrew Berggren was born June 10, 1970. He married Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh “Jessica” and resides in San Francisco, California.

• Christopher James Berggren was born June 27, 1971 and died June 29, 1971.

• Julie Ann Berggren was born June 15, 1973. She married James Wesley Byers and resides in Anna, Texas. Together they had Carol’s grandchild, Eva Rebekah Byers born May 19, 2005.

Carol spent her early childhood years in Chicago. Her baptismal was April 13, 1948 in Our Lady of Pompeii Church. At age 5, her family moved to Berwyn, Illinois where she graduated from St. Mary of Celle School June 1957. She liked light blue and pink and her favorite flower was the rose. Carol graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School June 1961. After graduation from high school, Carol attended secretarial school. She was so proud of her 1965 Chevy Impala that she had paid for from her own earnings while working as a secretary at the American Medical Association.

Carol met John Berggren at a local Chicago nightspot, Butch McGuire’s, on April 26, 1968 and were married April 19, 1969. They lived their first few years in Cicero and Wheaton, Illinois. John’s job took them to Omaha, Nebraska in 1973 and then to Kingwood, Texas in 1986.

Her church and community services included: member of St. Roberts Church in Omaha; member of St. Martha’s Church Kingwood; and member of Hi Neighbors in Kingwood.

Carol was a homemaker who had a very strong devotion to her family. Carol’s strong will to live helped her survived breast cancer in 2000. She was so proud that the hair she lost grew back salty and curly. As a result of the chemo for the breast cancer, Carol developed MDS, which eventually turned to AML. She fought a hard courageous fight, but finally departed this life on July 14, 2005.

Memorial services were July 18, 2005 at St. Martha Catholic Church Kingwood, TX and July 20, 2005 at Sacred Heart Parish Palos Hills, Ill.

Her family encourages everyone to support their local blood bank and to register to be a bone marrow donor. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Her family wishes to thank those offering support, words of encouragement and kind words for Carol. Following are just some of the kinds words from the many cards received:

“Carol was a wonderful person. She will be greatly missed.” Lou & Pat Skoff

“In the last few months when I would call Carol, she was always hopeful and cared about how I was feeling. Last time I talked to her, she told me about all about Julie and her husband and his family. She was so proud of them. I will always have those memories of Carol.” Jane Saathoff

“Carol was a wonderful lady … a fighter, strong, happy, & optimistic. She will be missed in our family.” Melissa Nelson

“She was so positive in spirit and such a fighter to over come her illness.” Jan Kratville

“Carol will truly be missed by all of us. I am so thankful that she and John always had time to visit me and that I was able to visit last Sept. and share my birthday with all of you … Carol will always have a special place in my heart. She was always thinking of others.” Cousin Barbara

“I miss Carol but I am grateful for the rich memories we shared growing up in our close, extended family.” Cousin Joann

“… she will be missed by all of us. She was a great gal and I loved her.” Auntie Helene

“She was a great lady.” Marsha & Dan Ryser

“Carol’s illness encouraged me to register a bone marrow donor, I’ve also encouraged other to do the same. I always enjoyed visiting with Carol especially at the reunions.” Lois Nelson

Carol's favorate tune:

"Whenever I feel afraid, I hold my head erect

And whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect I'm afraid.

While shivering in my shoes, I try to tell each toe

To whistle a happy tune and no one ever knows I'm afraid.

The result of this deception is very strange to tell,

For when I fool the people I fear, I fool myself as well.

I whistle a happy tune, and every single time,

The happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid.

Make believe you're brave, that's the trick to take you far,

You may as brave as you make believe you are."