A celebration of life service for Larry Raymond Bergo will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Andrea Myers will officiate. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Larry died on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, at his home surrounded by family.

Larry R. Bergo was born on Dec. 3, 1941, in Albert Lea, the son of Irving and Ardis (Peterson) Bergo. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1960 and enlisted in the Navy.

He proudly served on the USS Wasp as a radar engineer for four years stationed out of Boston, Mass.

Larry married Jean Lunning on June 30, 1962, at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Larry worked at Wilson & Co. and ultimately Farmland for several years. He was most recently employed by Dave Syverson Ford. He was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was a member of the the American Legion, the Elks Club, the Eagles Club and served as the chaplain on their ritual team. He was a great inspiration for the Freeborn County Relay for Life, having served as an honorary co-chairman and working hard for many years to make it a success. Larry took pride in working around the home, and he enjoyed coffee with his friends. He was most passionate about spending time with his grandchildren and all the opportunities for “teachable moments.”

Larry ultimately succumbed to a nine-year battle with cancer — a battle which allowed him to meet several new friends at the Gift of Life, in Rochester, and in the health care industry.

Larry’s journey allowed him to touch so many people along his way; his full extent will never be known.

Larry was preceded in death by his father Irving Bergo; stepfather James Thovson; sister Bonnie Bottelson; brother Michael Bergo; father-in-law and mother-in-law Clayton and Elizabeth Lunning.

He is survived by wife, Jean Bergo; daughter Traci Bergo (Deb McDonald) and their children, Jacob, Dane and Erin; daughter Tiffany Syverson (Bob) and their children Adam, Alex and Marty; son, Chad Bergo (Shana) and their children Finnegan and Adelyn; mother, Ardis Thovson; sister, Sandra Flemming; brothers Dennis Bergo and David Bergo; sisters-in-law Barb Wright, Judy (Bill) Myers and Cindy Lunning Armon (Bob); brothers-in-law Steve (Vicki) Lunning and Craig (Myrna) Lunning; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Memorials are suggested to the Hospice of Albert Lea or the Gift of Life Transplant House of Rochester.

God gives the toughest battle to the toughest soldiers. Larry fought the good fight, and he finished the race. God really got a good angel this time!