Sidney Edwin Berquam was born on January 9, 1943 in Baldwin, Wisconsin the son of Edwin and Erma (nee Lien) Berquam. He was Baptized and Confirmed at West Immanuel Lutheran Church. As a young man he served as the Sunday School Superintendent for a number of years. He graduated from Amery High School in 1961. In April of 1965 he entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1967. While he was in the service he traveled extensively around Europe. He did home study of the arts and became a graphic designer. Sidney was a very accomplished artist and did many oil paintings. He submitted some of his art work for competitions for design. Sidney studies the masters works in Italy to improve on his skills. He moved to the twin cities and spent most of his life in the St. Paul area. He did graphics work for Valspar, Target and 3M especially in the area of their post it notes. Through the course of his career he designed logos, product labels and brochures. He designed the logo for the St. Paul Winter Carnival. During most of his working career he worked with the Concept Group. He enjoyed the outdoors and the beauty it had to offer. He also spent many enjoyable hours gardening. Sidney has battled leukemia for the past seven years. He was a patient at United Hospital in St. Paul at the time of his death on Thursday August 11, 2011 at the age of 68 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Roxanne Roberts, brother Kevin Berquam and nephew Jordan Handrahan. Left to mourn are his sisters: Karen (Larry) Sigsworth, Marianne (John) Ashlin, Julie (Leonard) Fredrickson and Kathrin (Jerome) Doolittle; longtime friend Athrea Hedrick as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday August 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. from West Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Rex Brandt officiating. Soloist will be Betty Bliese. Organist will be Dana Hansen. Casketbearers will be: Scott Sigsworth, Jason Sigsworth, Brady Fredrickson, Jeremy Sigsworth, Nathan Sigsworth and James Sigsworth. Honorary casketbearers will be Lisa Handrahan, Stacy Conner, Cassandra Doolittle, Courtney Doolittle, Amy Ellis, Kelli Doolittle and Cindy Evenson. Special music will be played by Amari Conner. Taps for military honors will be played by Landon Conner and Lillyan Sigsworth. Interment will be at the West Immanuel Cemetery.