ELKHART -- Fred William Lundgren, 78, of Woodland Estates Drive, died Thursday (May 29, 2008) at home after an extended illness.

He was born March 12, 1930, in Chicago to Fred W. and Lily Mae (Farmer) Lundgren. He married Dorothy Jeanne Rasmussen on Dec. 27, 1952, in Chicago. She survives.

Also surviving are one son, Dave (Tonya) Lundgren of Elkhart; two daughters, Susan J. (Roger Shay) Lundgren and Tina M. (Steve) Datena of Elkhart; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wally (Ann) Lundgren and Clem (Theresa) Lundgren, both of Chicago; and one sister, Marelita (Donald) Larson of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Robert and Kenneth Lundgren; and one sister, Karen Kindred.

There are no services scheduled and cremation will take place. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is handling arrangements.

Mr. Lundgren ran several car washes in the Chicago area until the early 1970s, when he and his family moved to Elkhart to operate the former Abshire Car Wash, where the Tolson Center stands today. In the early 1980s he left the car-wash business and worked for several area molding companies. He retired in the early 1990s.

He enjoyed fishing and boating on Garver Lake and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan.

Mr. Lundgren was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He earned two Bronze Stars.

Memorials may be given to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunny Brook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.