John Nelson Berg was born to Bessie and Lawrence Berg on March 20, 1924, in Barnston, Nebraska. He passed away peacefully in Helena, Montana, of natural causes on March 3, 2014, at the age of 89. John was a dignified gentlemen who valued family and who held dear the memories of his service to his country. His career as a mechanical engineer and his adventurous spirit led him to a wealth of unique experiences living in numerous parts of the northwestern United States.
John graduated from Wymore High School in 1942. On January 2, 1943, he was engaged to Donna Wilson of Blue Springs, Nebraska. In February of 1943, John volunteered for the draft and was inducted into the Army on February 18, 1943.
Prior to his deployment overseas, John was stationed at Camp Barkeley, near Abilene, Texas. Donna joined him there, and they were married the day she arrived, April 20, 1943, at 8:00 pm in Chapel #8, with Chaplin Hawkins officiating. John was in the European Theater of Operations with the 12th Armored Division, 7th Army, serving his country in eastern France and western Germany during World War II. He came home from the war in Europe on December 12, 1945.
January 1, 1946, John and Donna moved to Brigham City, Utah, where John was hospitalized in the Bushnell Hospital. January 2, 1946, John was transferred to the Letterman General Hospital at Presidio in San Francisco, California. John was discharged from the hospital in late March of 1946. They returned home to Nebraska. On January 6, 1947, their first son, Robert John, was born.
Their next move was to Laramie, Wyoming, where John attended the University of Wyoming. Their second son, Kenneth Norman, was born on May 20, 1948. Moving to Bozeman, Montana, in December 8, 1948, John attended MSU. In September, 1949, they moved to Indianola, Nebraska, where he was employed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. In 1952, they moved back to Bozeman, Montana, where he continued his education, receiving a degree in mechanical engineering, and working for MSU as an engineer. Then they moved to Helena, Montana in September of 1964, where he worked for the State of Montana as an mechanical engineer at the Capitol Building. In 1965, moving to Great Falls, he worked for Drapes Engineering. His next position was at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. He completed his career by returning to Great Falls to continue working for Drapes Engineering until his retirement.
He enjoyed being in the outdoors with his family, fishing, hunting, and boating, including times at their cabin on the Gallatin River with relatives and friends. He welcomed projects of all kinds, ranging from building boats to remodeling and building homes. He and Donna traveled extensively.
John was a member of the American Legion in Wymore, Nebraska and VFW in Helena.
John was a devoted father and grandfather. His family looked to him for leadership and inspiration.
John was known for his compelling stories about his experiences in WWII. He proudly displayed his numerous medals and loved to share details of each. Among them were: Bronze Star Medal; Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp, Honorable Service Lapel Button.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Berg, his parents, Bessie and Lawrence Berg, his mother and father-in-laws, Cassie and John Wilson, his siblings, Rosalie Stanosheck, Harold Berg, and Bob Berg.
John is survived by his oldest son, Robert (Joan) of Taupo, New Zealand, their daughters, April Turner (Mark) and their daughters, Katherine and Elizabeth, of Young, NSW, Australia, and Heidi Dunning (Chris) of Wellington, New Zealand, and their children Emily and Ben, and by John’s younger son, Ken (Barbara) of Helena, their sons, Kyle Berg of Lewistown, Montana, Kevin Berg of Austin, Texas, and Trevor Berg of San Francisco, California, and by the Stanosheck nieces and nephews, Jim, Karen, Mary Ellen, and Larry, and the Berg nieces and nephews, Jane, Mary, Tim, Dan, and John and their families.
In lieu of flowers, John’s family suggests memorial donations to be sent to the American Legion Post 25, 815 West D Street, Wymore, NE 68466-1943, or to Hospice of St. Peter’s at 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
A private family graveside service at Fort Harrison with full military honors will be held at a later date. To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of John please visit below.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Kent, Nancy, & Darren Wilson says
To Bob and Joan
John’s traditions have been passed on as we found out while staying with you in Taupo.
The stories of the Berg family are still fresh in our minds and for sure the love of the outdoors was very much a part of Bob Berg’s activities.
Your father will always be with you in the lessons he gave, and the love he showed. May all your beautiful memories of him comfort you and bring you peace
With Deepest Sympathy
The Wilson’s from Beatrice
Kathleen Hamill says
Ken, Barb, and boys,
So sorry to hear about your fathers death,our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time . Take care of each other.
Kathy and Maury Hamill
Deborah Fossedal says
To Ken and Barb,
I am so sorry for the loss of John. He was a dear friend to me. I so enjoyed spending time with him and listening to his stories. He had so much to share. He is now where he wants to be, with his precious Donna. May God bless you.
Love, Debbie
John and Lynn Berg says
KEN, BOB, AND FAMILIES,
SO MANY PRECIOUS MEMORIES, JOHN & DONNA, LIVES WELL LIVED. THEIR LOVE LIVES ON IN THE HEARTS OF THEIR FAMILIES. ALTHOUGH SHARING IN YOUR SORROW, SO THANKFUL TO HAVE KNOWN THEM. THANK YOU KEN, FOR THE GALLATIN RIVER MEMORIES, 1963. WHEN JOHN & DONNA VISITED US IN ALASKA IN 1995 WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW THEM THOSE SLIDES, AND OF LAVA LAKE.
LOVE & GOD BLESS YOU ALL, JOHN & LYNN BERG
LARRY STANOSHECK says
WHEN I START THINKING OF ALL OF OUR MEMORIES OF JOHN AND DONNA AND HOW THEY AFFECTED OUR LIVES I AM OVERWHELMED. CLEAR BACK TO INDIANOLA TO MONTANA- FISHING, WORM CATCHING- INTERNATIONAL CARRY-ALLS- MOUNTAIN HIKES- TRAVEL TO ALL SORTS OF HISTORICAL PLACES. JUST SKIMS THE SURFACE! AND ALL THE WHILE TOLERATING THOSE ONERY STANOSHECK KIDS !!
Tim Berg says
He was the BEST! As far away as I’ am; I miss him and Donna. They went together like Pea’s and Carrots! He set such a good example! I want to listen to his stories……. Sigh……
Tim
Jane & LaVerl Schulenberg says
Thank you Uncle John for gracing our lives with your presence for all these years. To Ken. Bob & families…your dad was a giant among men. Thank you for allowing us to share in his & your mom’s life. Ken & Barb you took such good care of him, you made a huge difference in the quality of his life these last few years. God bless you all. We mourn with you. We loved him dearly & we will miss him so very much. And Tim, you are so right, he did tell the best stories! Till we meet again.
Mary Berg-Bears says
The end of an amazing life and era, the last of my dad’s siblings has crossed over to be reunited with his beloved wife Donna, his parents, his sister Rose and husband Gene, brothers Harold and my dad and mom Bob and Lorette, I can just hear the laughter as these people who cared for each other so much are reunited after so many years oF separation. Each touched my life in an amazing way but none so much as my Aunt Donna and my so loved Uncle John. From my first memories to my last which was for advice as we started our years of full time RVer’s and all the great advice he had for us. I idolized this man and am sending my love to Bobby and Kenny and their families in the hopes that the love and memories your dad left you with will carry you through this difficult time. Hopefully we will be able to get together soon to celebrate a life well lived!
Jerry Huggins says
My sincere condolences to the Berg family. I still have memories as a young lad with family visits to Blue Springs at the Wilson household, when the Berg’s were there visiting at the same time. My mother thought so much of your parents and many times stated that Donna was her favorite first cousin.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.