Wanda Jeanne Berger

Wanda Jeanne (Sethre) Berger, age 83, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away February 22, 2026 at Sanford Wheaton Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 at noon at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Organist will be LeAnn Bjornson with special music by Tressa Lanter.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening at the Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m with a 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service and Time of Sharing. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church Thursday morning.

Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be Josh Fridgen, Paul Berger, Derek Nessett, Eric Berger, Jadyn Nessett, Emily Berger and Dre Brandell. 

Wanda Jeanne Sethre was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on September 26, 1942 to Olaf and Helen (Hall) Sethre. She was the oldest of four children: Juneal, Jeffrey and Holly.

Wanda grew up in Elbow Lake and Wheaton, MN.

She attended elementary and high school in Wheaton graduating in 1960.

After graduation, she attended Minnesota School of Business for secretarial duties. She was employed in a steno pool in the Twin Cities for a short time.

Wanda met her future husband in 1958 at a dance hall near Sisseton, SD called "The Ranch". She married Jerry Berger on February 11, 1961 at Hope Lutheran church in Wheaton.

Wanda and Jerry were blessed with three children, who they raised on a farm in Redpath Township.

Between farming and being a mother, Wanda also found time to be a secretary at the Wheaton High School.

Wanda and Jerry moved off of the farm and built a home in Wheaton in 1996. For thirty years Wanda and Jerry spent winters in Mesa, AZ.

Wanda was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, church circle, Red Hats and the Redpath Homemakers club.

She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activities, traveling with her family, playing cards and golfing.

Wanda is survived by her children: Sherry Berger of Cape Coral, FL; Chadd (Kelley) Berger of Wheaton, MN; Stacy (Jeff) Nessett of Dassel, MN; six grandchildren; Josh (Kailey) Fridgen, Paul Berger, Derek Nessett, Eric Berger, Jadyn Nessett and Emily Berger. One great grandchild: Amelia Fridgen. Siblings: Juneal Goltz; Jeffrey Olberholtzer and Holly (Rick) Gustafson; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerome Berger; parents Olaf and Helen; mother and father-in-law Paul and Sophie Berger; brother-in-law Sidney Goltz; sister-in-law Karen Berger; and nephew Scott Goltz.

The Berger family extends their deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported them during this time. A sincere note of appreciation to Michelle Rinke, Paige Jenson, Wheaton Hospital staff and the amazing staff of Country Side Inn.

Memorials are preferred to the Wheaton Community Diner in memory of Wanda.