Charles Berg

Services for Charles Berg, 86, of Claremont will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 16th at the United Methodist Church, Claremont. Pastor Nancy Manning will officiate. Burial will be held at Huffton Cemetery at a later date under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Charlie passed away March 12, 2012 at ManorCare in Aberdeen.

Charles A (Charlie) Berg was born November 23, 1925 to Charles and Esther (Ostlund) Berg at home in Stockholm, South Dakota. He was baptized on December 17, 1925 and confirmed in the Elim Mission Church on October 27, 1940. He attended elementary school in Stockholm and graduated from Milbank High School on May 25, 1943. He married Shirley Stenstadvold in 1949 and from this union four children were born.

Charlie went to work for the Great Northern Railroad on June 20, 1944; on September 11, 1944 he was (and I quote) "conscripted in the military draft and served his country in the U.S. Navy until June 16, 1946." He returned to his job on the railroad where he stayed until his retirement on August 1, 1981. During his 37 years and 6 weeks, his longest stay was at South Shore, SD, from 1954 - 1961. From January 1973 - February 1978 he worked in approximately 70 depots; some were for 1-4 weeks, but some were for 1, 2 or 3 days.


Charles married Burlene (Dwight) Dombrow on January 1, 1971. She died on February 10, 2009.

He shared his talents on several boards over the years: Town Board, School Board, Church Board, and American Legion as chaplain (his personal favorite) and Community Club. He was in charge of leading the Memorial Day service for many years and presented a few testimonies of faith to the congregation at his church. He spoke often at his AA meetings and became more confident with each appearance.

Charlie enjoyed doing crossword puzzles in the local paper; always done with pen! If you had ever told him your birthday (day, month and year) he would remember it! He did have trouble keeping track of all the great-children's birthdays, except for Adam, the oldest and Catelynn, the youngest, who was born on his 85th birthday! He and Beany took great pride in their yard and garden. They enjoyed listening to the Twins games and going to many sporting events that featured grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


He was also so proud of his all his (and Beany's) children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If you ever had a chance to visit with him for any length of time, you were sure to hear about a few of them!!

Charlie was very proud of his AA pin he received for his 46 years of sobriety.

He is survived by four children: Kathy (Jerry) Wetterlin, Richard (Karen) Berg, Cindi (Shawn) Zwack, Deb (Jerome) Hansen, his sister Louise, in California. And three step-children: Marva (Lon) Gelhaus, Barney (Robin) Dombrowe, and Darcy (Leo) Lesher). Charles is also survived by nine grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.


Preceding him in death were his wife, his parents, his brother Stanley, his sister Bernice, and nephew Michael Berg.

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