ANDREW E. BERG

 

ANDREW E. BERG

Andrew Ellsworth Berg, 102, of Mayville, ND, passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early morning hours of Friday, September 15th, 2023 at Luther Memorial home in Mayville, ND.

He was born July 13th, 1921 at his parent’s home in the Golden Lake Township, Finley, ND, the 3rd of 10 children born to Arnold and Ella Mabel (Johnson) Berg.  He was baptized at Ostervold Church, rural Finley.  He later confirmed his faith as a part of the 1936 confirmation class of Finley Lutheran Church.  That same year he completed his 8th grade education at Sherbrooke school.  When he wasn’t busy with chores on the family farm, he would hire himself out to area farmers for the rate of $1.25 per day.  The work in those days was often grueling and intense. But, we must be reminded of the unescapable desperation during those times and the expectation to do everything one could to help their family.  As they would be for so many others of that generation, these were formative years for Andrew and would later shape him physically to lead a long & healthy life and mentally to be a pillar of support for others.

Andrew would continue contributing to the farm, taking odd jobs including trapping and keeping live skunks until their pelts reached “prime” condition months later. In 1940 he and his brother Marlowe were drafted for duty but ultimately Andrew was not selected for service.  He returned home to raise small grain and row crops with his brothers, Loren and Arlin.  During their downtime they would get out the accordions and fill the Berg home with “olde time music”. A strong work ethic, strict discipline, compassion, humility, ingenuity, and deep commitments to family would continue to guide Andrew’s life as a bachelor until he had a family of his own.

Although they had already been longtime friends, Andrew married Junice (Ueland) Rude on June 12, 1970.  Andrew not only gained a lifelong partner through this arrangement, he also gained 2 step children in Andy and Connie that he loved as if they were his own.  Together they made a home just West of the family farmstead, which Andrew would later describe as his “Happy Place”. After his retirement from farming in 1986 you could often find him gardening, landscaping, maintaining buildings on the farmstead, tinkering in the shop, or selling tickets to a community dance.  If Junice’s good looks and Andrew’s charm are what attracted the two to couple, then their passion for socializing and promoting the polka circuit is what galvanized it.  In fact, some of his most cherished memories were made in the motorhome, away at polka fests or at local barn dances.  After so many good trips they eventually parked the motorhome, sold their house, and moved into Sun Center South assisted living in 2013.

He spent the last 10 years making new acquaintances, visiting, enjoying home-cooked treats, listening to olde time music, recalling the past times, and holding the hand of his Sweetie, Junice.  Some of his favorite foods included Steak & Potatoes, Kumla, Gloclub, Lutefisk, Walleye, Sweet Corn, and most recently, sweet potato fries. Given the chance to live life over again, Andrew would do it exactly the same—farming, Junice, and all.  His message to loved ones is to tend to business, be absolutely honest, and live right.

Andrew is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Junice, Mayville, ND; granddaughter, Ariane Stern of Dallas, TX; grandson, Calen (Calah) Rude of San Antonio, TX; 4 great grandsons; 2 brothers: Arnold Jr. (Arletta) Berg, Moorhead, MN, Arlin (Betty) Berg, Loveland, CO, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Arnold and Ella Berg; stepchildren Andy and Connie Rude; brothers Manfred, Marlowe, Loren, Claris; sisters Arbella Beno, Lenora Hanson, Janet Larson.

The family asks that memorials be made to the Finley Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday, September, 21, 2023 from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm in the Finley Lutheran Church, Finley, ND.  Funeral Service will be Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Church.  Interment will be in the Finley Cemetery, Finley, ND.