Dr. Steven Paul Berberet

LEWISTOWN - Dr. Steven Paul Berberet, 54, a longtime Lewistown primary care physician who was active in the Lewistown community, died of cancer Monday at a Lewistown hospital.
His funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lewistown, followed by a community picnic lunch at Frank Day Park. Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Townsend. Central Montana Crematorium is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children Shayna, Clayton, Kimberly, Makayla and Tiffany; his parents, Bill and Grace Berberet; eight siblings - Dr. Jerry Berberet at Carroll College, Dr. Richard Berberet at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Barbara DeMartin, who, with her husband Rick, operates the Berberet family ranch in Toston, Jane Ann Peacock of Imbler, Ore., Jeanni Balint of Jackson, Wyo., Mary Beth Berberet and Patricia Vazanko of Spokane and Albert J. Berberet of Belgrade, Mont.
Well-known in central Montana in obstetrics and family medicine, Dr. Berberet had practiced in Lewistown since 1982.
Affectionately known as "Dr. B" by his medical colleagues and numerous patients alike, Dr. Berberet was noted for his diagnostic and treatment skills and his commitment to excellent patient care. Throughout his illness of several months, he received an outpouring of support from this professional and patient community, for which his family is deeply grateful.
Steve Berberet was born April 23, 1953, in Townsend, Mont., the sixth of nine children of Bill and Grace Berberet, a ranching family in nearby Toston. He attended schools in Toston and Townsend, graduating from Broadwater County High School in 1971. In addition to football and track, he was active in 4-H, where his projects included dairy, beef, swine, tractor, gardening, range management and junior leadership. Among his achievements were his selection to participate in the Western 4-H Roundup in Denver and Montana 4-H Congress in Bozeman.
Dr. Berberet graduated in 1975 from Carroll College in Helena with a 4.0 GPA, and attended medical school at the University of Washington, where he graduated in 1979.
In 1980, he married Kathleen Sullins of Casper, Wyo., whom he had met during medical school. Steve and Kathy departed for Duluth, Minn., where Steve completed his residency in family practice.
Steve and Kathy then came to Lewistown to establish a practice that consumed his entire subsequent career. "Dr. B" quickly came to love the Lewistown area, not the least for the bird hunting, fly fishing, hiking and other outdoor opportunities it afforded.
Dr. B's devotion to family care and obstetrics quickly led to a thriving practice. He was particularly committed to providing obstetrical care in central Montana; indeed, in 1988-89, Dr. B was the only physician who continued to deliver babies in Lewistown and the surrounding area.
Steve and Kathy were full partners in his medical practice, where Kathy served as office manager. They were also devoted partners as parents, adopting five small children.
Dr. B's 4-H background carried over in his involvement with his four daughters in 4-H horse projects in Lewistown. His dedication to this experience for his daughters made him a familiar figure at 4-H horse clinics, shows and fundraisers for Lewistown's active 4-H horse club. Similarly, he was committed to the participation of his son Clayton in Boy Scouts and to all of his children in myriad sports and other activities.
Dr. B was dedicated to improving medical services in central Montana. He served on the hospital board and executive board of the Central Montana Medical Center and the board of the Central Montana Medical Center Foundation. He served stints as medical director of Central Montana Mental Health Center, Central Montana Family Planning and Fergus County Public Health Nurses. He received the physician recognition award from the American Medical Association every year since 1989, and was recognized as outstanding health professional by the Lewistown Jaycees. He was also a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church and served on a number of councils and commissions. He thoroughly enjoyed singing in the church choir.
In lieu of flowers, friends of Dr. B are invited to contribute to one of the following: the Dr. Steven Paul Berberet Memorial Scholarship fund at Carroll College, Carol College Office of Advancement, 1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, MT 59625; the Central Montana Medical Center Foundation, attn. Ann Tuss, 310 Wendell Ave., Lewistown, MT 59457; or St. Leo's Catholic Church 102 W. Broadway, Lewistown, MT 59457.
Condolences may be sent online to greatfallstribune.com/obituaries.