Donald Edwin Berge

Donald Edwin Berge, 82, a resident of rural Erhard, died Sunday, May 6, 2018 at his home.

He was born on July 6, 1935, to Gilmore and Thea (Samnoen) Berge in Northwood, ND. Don grew up on the family farm west of Hatton, ND, and graduated from Northwood High School in 1953. He then attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in Ag. Engineering in 1957.

Don worked in Peoria, IL, where he was employed with LeTourneau-Westinghouse, a heavy-equipment manufacturer.

On August 4, 1957, Don married LeeAnn Kisser in Fargo, ND. They returned to Hatton, ND in 1960 to farm. Don retired in 1992 as a Colonel with the North Dakota Air National Guard, the “Happy Hooligans,” after 38 years of service. He remained active on the farm until the early 1990s.

On November 24, 2006, Don married Christy Klevberg in OshKosh, WI. In 2010, they retired to Otter Tail County.

Don enjoyed fishing, flying, politics, fencing, reading, and was a “Jack of all trades” as he could fix anything. He also liked taking pictures and showing them, playing cards, and attending his grandchildren’s activities.

He was a member of Zion Church of Amor, a charter member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon of the Fargo Chapter, and assisted with numerous projects. Don was also a member of the Post #70 Hatton American Legion, the Flying Farmer Group, Jaycees, an Outstanding Young Farmer, and a delegate to the Republican Convention. He served with the National Guard Association of the United States and North Dakota, was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Owner’s Association, the EAA Young Eagles Club and the El Zagal Shrine Club of Fargo, ND.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Gilmore and Thea Berge; sister, Dorothy (Charles) Hummel; and brother-in-law, James Weber.

Survivors include his wife, Christy Berge of Erhard; children, Lynae (John) Wingate of St. Anthony, MN, Mark (Donna) Berge of Tucson, AZ; step-children, Scott Klevberg of Hatton, ND, Kevin Klevberg of Barnesville, MN; sister, Trudy (Jim) Treece of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Audrey (James) McMacken, Hannah (Michael) Dalpiaz, Megan (Ben) Martinez, Sonja (Michael) Trovato, Annya Wingate, Amelia Wingate, Brittany Klevberg, Tayten Klevberg, Carter Klevberg, Kurbee Klevberg; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Emmett, and Eleanor; and sister-in-law, Bonnie Weber.

Visitation: 4 -7 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2018, with a public prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, rural Battle Lake, MN, and resumes one hour prior to the service
Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, rural Battle Lake, MN.
Clergy: Reverend Jim Gronbeck
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com .