William “Bill” R. Berg, 81, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at home in New Richland from a long fight with neurological issues.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma City. The Rev. Keith Bilitz will officiate. Interment will be in Alma City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Friedrich/Bonnerup Funeral Service in New Richland and one hour before the service at the church.

He was born in 1938 to Lyall and Marie (Marzinske) Berg of Alma City and was the second son of five children. His parents moved to New Richland, where he graduated in 1956 from New Richland High School. He enjoyed wrestling and driving race cars on the weekend. He worked at Peterson’s grocery store and then as a pressman at the New Richland Star newspaper.

He married Sylvia (Besser) Berg on Aug. 1, 1959, and was blessed with three children: Christine, Carol and Charles. He worked at the Albert Lea Tribune until he was diagnosed with neurological issues. He also worked at the Gambles store and as a bartender at the American Legion. If he wasn’t working, you would find him supporting his children and grandchildren at their sporting and musical events.

He was an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church throughout his life, serving as president, secretary and treasurer. He was also the AAL treasurer for the church. Bill taught his children how important family is to have in your life, how to care for others, work hard for what you want and how to enjoy polka music. The most important thing Bill accomplished in life was to teach his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren about their Savior Jesus Christ so that they may have eternal life like he is enjoying now.

William is survived by his wife, Sylvia; and his three children, Christine Schlaak, Carol (Mike) Hedberg and Charles (Amy, his significant other) Berg. His six grandchildren, Justin (Kim) Schlaak, Nathan (Lindsey) Schlaak, Brandon Schlaak, Gaven (Rachel) Schlaak, William (Carlie) Berg and Cady (Ryan) Anderson; his 10 great-grandchildren, Kordell, Aidan, Gabrielle, Ryan and Dakota Schlaak, Gracie and Bryar Berg, Alyrah, Aurora and Odyn Anderson; his brothers and sisters Louis Berg, Robert (Evelyn) Berg, Barbara (Dennis) Grunwald, Kathy Berg, Nathalie Besser, Lorna (Ray) Motley and Lorraine (Gary) Berg; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lyall and Marie Berg; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Sylvester and Martha Besser; his youngest brother, Stanford; brother and sisters-in-law Elaine Berg, Robert (Rosella) Besser, Ralph (Marge) Besser, Richard (JoAnn) Besser, Sylvester Besser and Reinhart Besser; nieces and nephews Dean Berg, Kenneth Besser, Shirley Besser, Todd Besser and Larry Smith; and many aunts and uncles.