Vincent Charles Berg

On September 11, 2024, Vincent Charles Berg went to his heavenly home, as his son Martin sat by his side. Vincent was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ione (Kahler Immel) Berg, his parents Leo N. and Isabel (Grell) Berg, his siblings and their spouses: Francis (Laverne), Gerald (Mildred), John (Verone), Jerome (Leone), Hubert (Dolores), Leo (Theresa), Peter (Anita), Carlton (Geraldine), George (Judy), Margaret Maxfield and Evelyn DeBroux, Adam (Charlotte), brothers-in-law Peter Janz and Paul Walker, infant grandson, Samuel Immel, and Vincent's twin brother Victor. Vince always referred to Victor as his "wombmate", one of the multitude of puns and jokes that entertained everyone who knew him.
A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Vince is survived by his children Daniel (Anzo) Immel, Ila (Ken) Kiesgen, Jane (Chuck) Chariton, Susan Immel, David (Julie) Immel, Del (Christine) Immel, and Martin (Haley) Berg. He is further survived by 14 grandchildren: Jesse (Rachel) Chariton, Crystal (Tony) Abitz, Conor Kennedy, Kyle (Elizabeth) Kiesgen, Ian Kennedy, Elise Kiesgen, Cory Kiesgen, Conifer (Ruth) Berg, Jack (Alicia) Berg, Molly Berg, Lucy Berg, Joe Immel, Emily Immel, Evan Immel and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Joan Janz, Loretta (Gerald) Schultz, Anna (Richard) Hayes and Florence Walker and brother-in-law Richard (Jean) DeBroux as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Vincent Berg was born on June 10,1934, to Leo N. and Isabel (Grell) Berg, the 11th child in a family of 18, (his twin brother Victor was #10). He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Appleton. Growing up on the farm, located on Wisconsin Avenue where Fleet Farm and The Diner are now, he learned the value of hard work at an early age. It was here he acquired his lifelong habits of make-do, fix, build and improvise. After he attended the one-room Triangle School, he attended Appleton Vocational School part-time and studied carpentry, the source of his meticulous carpentry skills.
Vince enlisted in the Air Force and was eventually assigned to Hann Air Force Base in Germany from 1956-1959, where he took advantage of every leave and time off to travel throughout Europe coordinating a visit with his brother George. He attended the World's Fair in Brussels, traveled to Rome where he saw the Pope and visited the catacombs. In Portugal, he visited the Shrine of our Lady of Fatima. He walked the streets of Casablanca, saw tulips in Amsterdam and tried to ski in the Bavarian Alps.
After his service, Vince returned home to work at Berg and Henn Co. and was fortunate to find time to volunteer with the Boy Scouts, chaperoning a trip with the Eagle Scouts to the Jamboree in Washington, D.C. and doing missionary work. In 1968, Vince took part in a Catholic mission trip to help build a church in the diocese of his cousin Salvador Schlaefer Berg, the bishop of Nicaragua. Two years later, Vince returned to build a nearby clinic. When a fire damaged the Berg and Henn business, Vince quickly returned home to help. He moved and used heavy equipment and had opportunities to travel to Maine, Texas, and points in between to move or demolish buildings and lift derailed trains off the damaged tracks with the Berg Corporation. His stories of working with side booms, dozers and hydraulic jacking machines were endless. Vince was also a volunteer firefighter and a first responder. His mentorship continued at work where as he showed young men how to use the heavy construction equipment he so adored.
On October 5, 1973, Vincent married Ione (Kahler) Immel at St. Matthew Lutheran Church where he became an active member of the congregation. On July 4th, 1974, he and Ione added a son, Martin, to their family of six.
Vince and Ione loved to dance and belonged to a square dance group for a number of years. They were chaperones for the high school marching band, The Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin. They enjoyed tending their garden where Vince also grew giant pumpkins.
In 2004, Vince and Ione took a trip to the Panama Canal marveling at the engineering, dedication and hard work of those who built it. They also took an Amtrak trip out west enjoying conversation along the way.
Vince and Ione were active members of the Grand Chute Lions Club and served in many capacities. Now members of Trinity Lutheran Church, they became involved in the groups and activities of that congregation including helping to repair the church roof and church bell.
Vince and Ione settled into retirement at the farm enjoying family and friends. They loved to go to the American Legion and particularly enjoyed their Friday night fish fries.
A special thank you goes out to the staff at The Diner on West Wisconsin Avenue. Vince spent many happy hours there with family and friends including Berg Breakfast at the Carrot Patch.
Visitation will be on September 27, 2024 at Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel from 4-7pm. The funeral will be on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ellington W6399 County Rd. O Appleton, WI with visitation from 9-11 and interment with military honors performed at Highland Memorial Cemetery 3131 N Richmond St. Appleton, WI.