Retiring city clerk to lead Geneva's Swedish Days parade

Retiring city clerk Lynn Landberg Monday was named marshal of the Geneva Swedish Days parade.

"I'm really honored to be in the company of so many great Genevans who have served as honorary parade marshals in the past," Landberg said in a news release from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Viking Service Organization.

Landberg, a fourth-generation Genevan, graduated from Geneva High School in 1962. He attended the University of Illinois and returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Vicky.

He retired in 2003 from Reed Business Information where he was editor of Construction Equipment magazine.

"This is home, the only one I've known, and I've always given Geneva my full support, and wanted to do what I could in making it the great community it is," Landberg said.

He was appointed to the city's economic development committee in the 1970s and worked on formation of the city's first tax-increment financing district. He served on the plan commission from 1979 to 1985.

His father, former city clerk Harold Landberg, got him to run for clerk in 1985. He served 1985 to 1993, and from 2005 until now. He decided not to seek re-election and his last day on the job is Monday.

Landberg has volunteered for the Geneva History Museum for 12 years, working the front desk, assisting with mailings, and telling stories of growing up in Geneva.

"I'm a modest guy, and never considered myself a front-line mover or shaker, but felt that I could best serve Geneva working behind the scenes - helping where I could, but staying out of the limelight," Landberg said.

Swedish Days starts June 20 and the parade is June 25. The schedule is at genevachamber.com.