Joseph A. Berg • 1926 - 2009

Joseph A. Berg, 83, Minot, died Thursday, July 16, 2009 in an Edina, MN hospital following complications of a heart attack.

Joseph Alfred Berg was born on April 14, 1926, a son of Johan Johanson Berguson (John Berg) and Alma Christine (Anderson) Berg in White Earth, ND. He was raised in Blaisdell, ND and educated in Berthold, ND.

In 1943, he enlisted into the US Navy. He proudly served his country aboard the USS Kalinin Bay, CVE 68, Taffy 3, from the time it was commissioned in Astoria, WA until it was decommissioned in Boston, MA. Aboard the ship, he fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Joe was honorably discharged on April 9, 1947.

On February 28, 1949, he was united in marriage to Ruth Brown. They made their home in Minot, where Joe worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a Locomotive Engineer, retiring in 1988. Ruth passed away February 21, 2009, one week shy of 60 years together.

Joe was an active member of the Minot American Legion, life member of the VFW, charter member of Minot WWII Last Man's Club, National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, BNSF Veteran's Association, Moose Lodge, Dakota Bull Session Marltime Museum Association, member of the USS Kalinin Bay Ship Reunion Association, and St. John's the Apostle Catholic Church. Joe was proud to be part of laying the tracks and was a volunteer Engineer Operator for the Magic City Express at Roosevelt Park. In fall 2008, Joe was inducted into the Minot Railroad Museum Hall of Fame.

His dedication to his family and friends was evident with daily trips to visit his wife Ruth suffering from Alzheimer's, coffee at Harley's and Marco's with his dear friends, and daily stops to his cousin Echo's house. He was known to take frequent trips to visit his daughters. For the past 21 years, Joe attended his yearly navy ship reunion at various locations across the country. He was in the Twin Cities to attend a Twins game benefiting the North Dakota Alzheimer's Association when he was hospitalized. Despite his sudden illness, he shared his wit and kept the hospital staff and family in good spirits.

Joe's last trip on the train was to come home to his final resting place, accompanied by family and greeted by numerous friends at the train station.

Those who shared his life: Daughters: Marie Berg-Spector, Scottsdale, AZ, Debby Berg-Carmine, St. Paul, MN, Patty (Tom Lund) Berg, Bismarck, ND, Nancy Berg ,Woodbury, MN, Mary Jane Berg, Naples, FL, Becky (Neil) Harski, Naperville, IL, Molly (Paul) Pashibin, Bloomington, MN; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Swett, Katie Carmine, Michaela Krefting, Aaron Wagner, Paris Pashibin, Savannah and Sydney Harski; two great-grandchildren: Ruthie Jo and Echo Swett; Brother: Duane Berg, Gallup, NM: dear cousins: Echo Kjallberg, Minot and Luella Dunn, Bismarck, ND. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 59 years Ruth, two brothers, Martin and John, and three sisters, Millie, Ilene, and Clara.

Visitation: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 2-7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Vigil Prayer Service: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 7 pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 11 am at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot

Memorials received will be donated to the ND Alzheimer's Association or St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.

Celebrants of the Liturgies
Monsignor Joseph Senger
Deacon Chuck Kramer

Music
Processional "Amazing Grace"
Offertory "Be Not Afraid"
Communion "On Eagles Wings"
Meditation "Ave Maria"
"The Lords Prayer"
Commendation "Song Of Farewell"
Recessional "Anchors Aweigh"
Rick Stevens, vocalist
Luther C. Hanson, organist

Honorary Bearers: Joe's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his coffee group at Harley's and Marco's

Active Bearers: Dustin Brown, Tom Lund, Paul Pashibin, Aaron Wagner, Neil Harski, Craig "Woody" Dunn

Military honors accorded by the Minot American Legion Post #26 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Immediately following the graveside service there will be lunch and fellowship in the fellowship hall of the church.

To sign the online guest register for Joe
To view the online guest register for Joe

To view the inside of Joe's folder
To view the outside of Joe's folder

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