Merlin Berg

Merlin "Mort" Berg, 78 of Breckenridge, MN, formerly Wyndmere and Mooreton, ND, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Healthcare Campus on November 16, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was under the care of St. Francis Nursing Staff, Riveredge Hospice and his daughters. Vertin-Monson Funeral Home, Wahpeton is entrusted with the arrangements. There will be visitation at the funeral home from 5-7 pm followed by a memorial service to honor Mort's life on Tuesday, November, 19th. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Wahpeton United Pentecostal Church on Wednesday, November 20th at 10:30 am with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Merlin Gale Berg was born on February 12, 1935 near Colfax, ND to Clarence and Mildred (Haverland) Berg. He attended a country school in Ibsen Township where he walked uphill both ways and had to eat a lard sandwich every day for lunch. He later attended school in Galchutt where he played basketball and was nicknamed "Grease Lightning" because he was "so fast." He graduated from Galchutt High School in 1953. Merlin earned his nickname, "Mort" while being the pitcher for Mooreton's baseball team from an umpire who couldn't remember his name. Mooreton was shortened to Mort. He enlisted into the U. S. Navy in 1954. After his return from service he worked in northern Minnesota near Aurora in the taconite mines from 1955-1957 and as a Road Construction Supervisor. He later returned to the family farm to work with his father in Ibsen Township. In 1965, he married Adrienne Curtin in Mooreton, ND. They lived on the family farm until moving to Wyndmere, ND. To this union were born four children; Gregory, Kristine, Rebecca and Michelle. Mort served the community of Wyndmere as the city's Chief of Police, City Maintenance Superintendent and was also employed for 16 years by the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. For 24 years, he proudly served as a Richland County Commissioner taking great pride in serving the residents of Richland County. In 1990 he was able to fulfill his dream of moving back to the family farm near Mooreton. Shortly thereafter, he formed Tri-County Excavating. He owned a backhoe and bulldozer and worked with great pride on some of the county drain projects. His family agrees that he was the hardest working man they will ever have the pleasure of knowing. We are thankful to have learned so much from him and to have shared so many precious memories together.
Mort was a member of the Am-Vets, Richland County Park Board, Mooreton Community Club, Richland County Weed and Water Board, Rural Mail Carriers Association and was the Chairman of the Board of Richland County Commissioners. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, mechanics, farming, racing, history and country gospel music, with one of his favorites being Jim Reeves. He enjoyed his time visiting with family, friends, neighbors and especially with his children, son-in-laws and grandchildren who were the most cherished of life's blessings. He loved hearing and singing the song, "Jesus Loves Me." He became a member of the Wahpeton United Pentecostal Church and developed a deep love for Jesus which carried him through on life's path.
He is survived by one son and five daughters; Gregory Berg, Hankinson ND; Kristine (Jeremy) Doss, Christine, ND; Rebecca (Raul) Portales, Breckenridge, MN; and Michelle (Paul) Luna, Wahpeton, ND; Colleen Jansen, Spokane, WA and Beth Jansen, Folsom CA. 18 Grandchildren; Robert, Amy and Ashlyn Bladow and Damon Doss (children of Kristine); Daniel, Dylan, Dustin, David, Darron and Dalton Portales (children of Rebecca); Aaliyah Berg, Austin, Aydin & Addison Luna (children of Michelle); Nathaniel & Lindsey Browning, Sacramento, CA (children of Beth); Charlene Schreiner, Topeka, KS, Stephanie De Pedro, Topeka, KS (children of Steven). 6 Great-grandchildren; Magnolia, Liam & Kai Browning, Sacramento, CA (children of Nathanial Browning); Adonis, Alana & Athena Schreiner, Topeka, KS (children of Charlene Schreiner). Two sisters; Memory (Kenneth) Mauch, Mooreton, ND, and Doreen Heitkamp, Breckenridge, MN. Two brothers; Lynwood (Janet) Berg, Cameron, NC, and Ron (Linda) Berg, Doran, MN. A sister in law; Sharon Berg, Aurora, MN. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred Berg, an infant brother, his eldest brother, Clarence Jr. "Sonny", a brother who was also a very close friend, Dennis Berg, and a son, Steven Jansen.