Ramona Berg, 1930-2014

Published 9:57 am Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Ramona Elaine “Mona” Berg, 83, of Mankato died Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Laurel’s Peak with her family by her side.

Ramona Berg

Ramona Berg

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato, with the Rev. Michelle Hargrave officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Worthington Cemetery in Worthington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Centenary UMC, Mankato Symphony Orchestra or donor’s choice. Mankato Mortuary handled the arrangements.

Ramona was born Oct. 16, 1930, to George and Theckla (Johnston) Leonhardi in Emmons. She graduated from Emmons High School and attended St. Olaf College. Mona graduated from Naeve Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse, and went on to work as a surgical nurse. On Nov. 27, 1952, Mona was united in marriage to Paul Thompson. Together they were blessed with four children, Paul, Ellyce, Judith and John. They lived in Owatonna; Dumas, Texas; Mankato and Marshall. Paul died Oct. 8, 1961, in Marshall, and that following year Mona returned to Mankato and enrolled at Mankato State University. She was a clerk of municipal court in Mankato for 4 1/2 years, then became a surgical nurse for Dr. Dobson. Mona was united in marriage to John Berg on June 5, 1969. She later worked parttime at the University Bookstore and attended the Mankato Area Vocational Technical School for a commercial baking course. Mona worked parttime at Tiffany Bakery and was a full-time domestic engineer at home. She was a member of Centenary UMC and the P.E.O., B.E. Chapter. Mona enjoyed playing bridge, puzzles, classical concerts, plays, traveling, museums, reading and, above all, spending time with her family and friends.

Email newsletter signup

Mona is survived by her husband, John Berg; children Paul (Jere) Thompson of Excelsior, Ellyce Thompson of St. Paul, Judy (Steve) Phifer of Two Harbors and John (Dawn) Thompson of Mankato; step-children Kris (Sean) Bennett of Minneapolis, Raina (Nancy) Sinclair of Brooklyn Park, John R. (Anna) Berg of St. Paul and Ginna (Eric) Marston of Plymouth; 10 grandchildren, Jason, Allyson, Ben, Megan, Katy, Matt, Paige, Chris, Robert and Rachel; four great-grandchildren; uncles; cousins and many other family and friends.

Mona was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Paul Thompson and grandson, Aaron Fodness.