Shawn Berg

OSAGE - Shawn Berg, age 37, of Osage, was called to Our Heavenly Father's Kingdom on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Surrounded by the love and support of his family and friends, Shawn passed away in his home.

Shawn was born June 15, 1971, in Osage, Iowa, the son of Kendrick and Theresa (Nagle) Berg. Shawn was proud to be a graduate of Osage High School in 1990, and Iowa State University in 1995, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Studies. On November 30, 1996, Shawn married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Schulz, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage. Shawn and Elizabeth began their married life together in Noblesville, Indiana, where Shawn was employed by Pioneer Hybrid International.

In the year 2001, Shawn fulfilled his life long dream of returning to Osage to join his family's farming operation and raise his daughters on the farm. Shawn was so grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Mitchell County Fair Board, and serve as Beef Superintendent at the Mitchell County Fair.

Shawn had two loves in his life - his family and his farming. Shawn was so proud to be the Daddy of two special little girls that are like him in so many ways. As a testament to his character, Shawn made it his life's work to spend quality moments with his daughters, whether it be showing them how a baby calf is born, taking them to school each morning, singing and dancing with them to their favorite songs, playing princess dress up, or reading fairytales before bedtime. He never missed an opportunity to tell them how much he loved them or remind them to always follow their dreams.

Shawn ran his farm as he ran his family - full of hope, faith, dedication, love, hard work and appreciation. Shawn felt blessed each day for the opportunity to farm the fertile fields of Osage with his Dad and his brothers, and took such pride in stating, "I am a farmer." Recently, Shawn renewed his love for his family's tradition of breeding, raising and showing purebred Shorthorn cattle. He instilled the lessons and love of cattle in his two daughters, who plan to carry on this tradition as a tribute to his legacy. Shawn will always be remembered for his easy smile, strong faith, pure heart, hard work, generous spirit and appreciation for all life has to offer.

Shawn's Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Osage with Pastor Dennis Hanson and Pastor Roy Ott officiating. Burial will be at the Rock Creek Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Fireside Room, 833 Ash Street, Osage. For visitation, relatives and friends are asked to please enter the church through the parish hall entrance. Visitation will continue one hour before services at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, Shawn requested that memorials be directed to the Berg Girls' Education Fund.

Shawn is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Berg and their daughters, Isabelle and Peyton of Osage; his parents, Kendrick and Theresa Berg of Osage; two brothers, Peter Berg and his wife, Pam, and their children, Kolby and Kendra of Osage; Josh Berg and his wife, Ashley, and their children, Maddie and Kaitlyn of St. Ansgar; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Terry and Linda Schulz of Osage; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Victoria and Matt Noel and their children, Delaney, Brady, and Finn of Dubuque; and numerous aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Orville and Georgia Berg; and his maternal grandparents, John and Doris Nagle.

Champion-Buchet Funeral Home, 641-732-3706.