Norman Bergquist

Date of Birth

Dec 03,1942

Date of Death

Jun 06,2016

Norman Bergquist, age 73, of Elburn, passed away peacefully, after a long battle with cancer, Monday, June 6, 2016. His body may have been weak, but his spirit was strong and has now slipped the chains of his disease and lives free and whole in Heaven.
He was born December 3, 1942, in Aurora, IL, the son of Hilmer and Irene (Powers) Bergquist.
Norman grew up on the family farm in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1961, but not before playing both football, track and garnering the nickname “Cowboy”.
Norm had his heart stolen faster than he could ride when he met Diane Moulding. An Elburn boy, Norm stole a beauty from Batavia, and never looked back. Although they waited until after high school to date, in Norm’s eyes, the deal was already done. They were united in marriage on November 6, 1965 at the Batavia Congregational Church.
They began their new life together back on the family farm and that is where they stayed to raise three children and make a million memories to treasure.
Norman travelled across the country showing cattle, but made a name for himself racing motorcycles from Ascot Park, CA to Daytona, FL to more local races in Cicero and Sycamore. In later years, he was chief of the pit crew for his boys as they “raced” in his footsteps. Norm delivered feed for DeKalb Feed for ten years. In 1979, Norm began a 30 year career as a machine operator for Thryselius Machining Inc., located in Elburn. He put down his tools on May 20, 2009, but worked just as hard in and around his home. There was no “quit” in this man.
Norm was a proud Eagle Scout and was active in 4-H. He was a life member of the AMA, the American Motorcycle Association and lived his faith for over 40 years at the Elburn Community Congregational Church.
Norm never went into anything small. From showing cattle, working on the farm, racing motorcycles to loving family and friends, Norm gave his all.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Diane; three children: Larry (Jeannie) Bergquist, Renee (Gary) Gardner and David Bergquist; Six grandchildren: Lauren and Ava Bergquist, Carl and Amanda Gardner; Camarae and David Bergquist; many nieces and nephews and a countryside full of friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hilmer and Irene and three siblings: Carl Bergquist, Al Bergquist and Alice Nickels.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Norm’s name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Norman Bergquist Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be Thursday, July 21 at 11 a.m., at the Elburn Community Congregational Church.

Private family interment will follow at a later date.

Leave Condolences or Memories