Philip Berglund

Philip E. Berglund, 91, of Dayton, Iowa, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, October 27, 2025, at his home in rural Dayton.

A celebration of life for Phil will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford. Pastor Justin Crocheck will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the Church. Private burial of ashes will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Stratford with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Peterson American Legion Post #323 of Dayton. For online obituaries & condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Philip Edward Berglund was born May 22, 1934, the son of Olof Edward and Dorothy Louise (Knuth) Berglund. He graduated with the Stratford High School class of 1952. Phil enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the Korea War as a battalion welding instructor for Korean soldiers that were taking over U.S. military equipment. Following his honorable discharge from the army, Phil drove semi while farming South of Stratford.

On February 3, 1957, he was united in marriage to Lila Louise Mechaelsen at Kamrar Presbyterian Church. In 1961 they moved to their farm near Dayton where he and Lila raised four children. Phil loved farming and his Angus cow herd. He was an accomplished welder and could fix about anything.

Phil previously attended the Dayton United Methodist Church and currently belonged to Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford. He served as the township clerk and cemetery sexton for many years. Phil served on church, co-op, and school boards, also acting as president of the Dayton school board, and was active in the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting his fields for arrowheads and Indian artifacts, and loved fishing in Minnesota. Phil was a talented singer, performing at many special occasions and in the Pilot Mound Men’s Choral Group. Most of all Phil loved his family and studying the Bible. He was Lila’s faithful caregiver for several years so she could remain in her own home

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Lila Berglund of Dayton, IA; children, Sarah (James) Wright of Collins, IA, Ruth Berglund of Boone, IA, Mark (Lori) Berglund of Dayton, IA, and Mary (Mike) Harreld of Williams, IA; seven grandchildren, Nathan Wright, Christina Wright, Kyle (Brittany) Ferguson, Rachel Ferguson, Lindsey Wingfield, Houston (Kelly) Harreld, and Clayton (McKenzie) Harreld; nine great-grandchildren, Lillie Ferguson, Juniper Lein, Loucian Lein, Jayden Cooper, Grace Merriam, Beau Wingfield, Henry Harreld, Calvin Harreld, and Kinley Harreld; his sister-in-law, Sue Berglund of CO; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Phil is preceded in death by his siblings, Berkley Berglund, Virginia Orwig, Leo Berglund, Lois Swanson, a sister in infancy, Marvin Berglund, and Norris Berglund, and a great granddaughter, Blakely Harreld.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.