BRYNJULV "GORDON" BERGE

1925 - 2008

Gordon was born to Ingvald and Gudrun Berge in Rugby, North Dakota on September 12th, 1925. He passed away peacefully, Friday, August 15th, 2008 with his loving daughter Greta at his bedside.

Gordon moved with his family to Norway when he was two. His life truly began when he met his future wife Gislaug at Voss Landsgymnas College in Voss, Norway. After college, Gordon moved back to the United States to get established. He continued his courtship with Gislaug with many letters until she agreed to become his wife on October 23rd, 1949.

Gordon enlisted in the Marines during the Korean War. While serving, he attained the rank of staff sergeant. Guislaug moved with Gordon to his final marine station in Kaneohe, Hawaii. You can imagine the climate and culture shock for Gislaug who hadn't been away from Norwegian soil before in her life.

After Gordon's military service concluded, they moved to Seattle, Washington. Gordon began his career as a professional photographer with Metro Media. On July 17th 1965, their daughter Greta was born and a new chapter in their life began. The family started out living on Capitol Hill, but soon migrated to Ballard and its Scandinavian culture.

Shortly after, Gordon purchased a lot in Norway Park at Lake McMurray in Mount Vernon, Washington. This was a community of summer cabins built by Norwegian immigrants. The family spent many joyous summers at the cabin Gordon designed and built for them on the hillside above the lake. Gordon and Guislaug moved to the cabin to live fulltime when he retired from Ackerly Communications in 1989.
Retirement offered Gordon time to explore his many talents. He taught himself to play the violin and the mandolin, and he also began to paint with oils. His paintings of the family farm in Norway are treasured. Gordon was also a talented writer. One of his stories about a childhood Christmas was published in the Western Viking magazine. He was asked to read his story on air many times by a local radio station.

Sadly, Gislaug passed away from a long battle with cancer in 2007. Gordon was lost without Gislaug so he moved to Portland, Oregon to be close to his daughter Greta and son in law Mark. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease began to take a big toll on Gordon's health and he succumbed to the disease after a rapid descent.

Gordon was laid to rest Wednesday, August 20th at Hawthorne Memorial Park in Mt Vernon, Washington. He is survived by his daughter Greta, son in law Mark, and his brothers Alf and Oysten in Norway.

Gordon and Gislaug were blessed with many friends that they dearly loved.

Remembrances in their honor can be made to help fight the battles against Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.

Please share your thoughts of Gordon and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com.
Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park Mount Vernon, WA.