Leonard Donald Berg

Rock Rapids, IA

Don Berg age 93 of Rock Rapids, Iowa died Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be 1:30 PM, Friday March 14, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids with Reverend Alex Sloter, officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery of Rock Rapids.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Midwest Honor Flight.

Written by Leonard himself:

Leonard Donald “Chip” Berg was born on a farm northwest of Rock Rapids on July 12, 1932. My parents, (Leonard and Josephine) moved into Rock Rapids in 1935. I attended school in Rock Rapids K-12 and graduated in 1950.

I worked for Uncle Pete Berg during World War II in the summers and weekends. I worked on Illinois Central Railroad the summer of 1949 and 1950 until Dec 1, 1950. I entered the United States Air Force in April of 1952 and was discharged in April of 1956.

Met the love of my life, Eljean Robinson when I was going to air craft engine school at Chanute Air Force base in Illinois. She was working in the University of Illinois at the time. We married July 26, 1953, had two children, Kathy born December 22, 1954 and Keith born on March 4, 1957. We lived in Rapid City, South Dakota until my discharge in 1956 as I was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force base. I had oversea duty on the island of Guam in 1955.

After discharge, I came back to Rock Rapids and took over the Texaco business that my parents started in 1935. The business closed in 1993 due to regulations. I worked for McCormack Trucking for a few years and then the Farmers Elevator.

* Donald was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. After his military service, he and his wife became members of Peace Lutheran, where he was a member of the Men’s Club, and was also president of the congregation. “Chip” was a member of the American Legion where he was honored as a 50-year member. He held offices such as treasurer and was the acting commander for multiple years.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Eljean; two children, Kathy (Steve) Zylstra, and Keith; grandchildren Jason (Natalie) Zylstra, Aaron Zylstra, Stacy (Matt) Bohl, Pam (Conway) Lunning, Mecinze Berg, Charlotte (Justus) Poppinga, and Holly Berg, 15 great grandchildren; and a nephew Monte.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother Meta; brother, Werner, and sister in law Evelyn Berg.

*added by family