Harlan O. Berg

Rock Rapids Harlan Berg, age 70 of Rock Rapids, IA died Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital in Rock Rapids. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids with Rev. Anita Bane, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids with military honors. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Harlan Otto Berg was born on April 7, 1936 at Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Adolph and Viola (Dengler) Berg. He was raised on a family farm west of Rock Rapids, and attended country school. After school he stayed with his parents and helped with the farming until entering the U.S. Army in 1955, serving in Alaska. He received his honorable discharge in 1957 and returned to Rock Rapids to resume farming. On November 16, 1957, Harlan was united in marriage to Hazel Erickson in Galesburg, ND. Together they began their long farming career on an acreage near his parents farm. The couple was blessed with four children and through the years Harlans two sons joined him in the farming operation. Harlans health began to decline in 2001, although he continued to help with farming, taking his turn in the combine through this past fall. Harlan was a member of the Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion of Rock Rapids, past member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, and currently a member of the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. Harlan enjoyed many things, including fishing, trapping, and attending farm sales and cattle auctions. He went fishing with family and friends whenever he could, and especially enjoyed teaching his grandsons to fish. He loved spending time in the vegetable garden, often harvesting more than he and his family needed, and would often share with his neighbors and friends. Harlan talked often of Alaska, his favorite place, and later returned with his wife for a vacation. This past Saturday, November 11, 2006, Harlan died at the Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital in Rock Rapids at the age of 70. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 49 years, Hazel Berg of Rock Rapids, IA; two daughters, Susan (and Dan) Smith of Dakota City, NE and Diane (and Scott) Gamble of Plymouth, MN; two sons, Gerald and Daniel Berg, both of Rock Rapids, IA; two grandsons, Tony and Benjamin Smith; two sisters, Marlene (and Wayne) Camilli of Owatonna, MN and Carolyn (and Daryl) Bauer of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister-in-law, Delores Berg of Rock Rapids, IA; an aunt, Nellie Berg of Rock Rapids; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Nathan Smith; and a brother, Dwaine Berg.