Rev. Donald M. Berg

Rev. Donald M. Berg, 90, Edgar, was born to eternal life on Thursday February 6, 2014, at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Donald M. Berg was born on October 9, 1923 in Edgar, son of the late Oscar and Edna (Straub) Berg. He attended St. John Catholic School, Edgar and after completing grade school, he attended St. Lawrence Seminary High School, completed two years of college at Mount Calvary and two years of Philosophy at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn. In 1944, he attended St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md. and finished an accelerated four year course in 1947. He was ordained by Bishop John Patrick Treacy at St. Joseph Cathedral in La Crosse on March 22, 1947. His first assignment was at St. Patrick's Parish, Eau Claire. Father Don was appointed to St. Mary's, Tomah and St. Andrew's, Warrens in 1948. In 1951, he was stationed at Holy Name Parish, Wausau and was on the first faculty of Newman High School. Father Don was temporarily appointed to St. Louis, Dorchester in 1956 and later St. Stephen's, Chili. In October of that year, he was appointed to St. Anthony's, Cazenovia where he stayed until 1958. At that point, he was given a temporary assignment at St. Mary's, Auburndale before he received his first parish at St. James, Camp Douglas and St. Michael's, Indian Creek. While there, he was appointed and served for four years as Chaplain in the Air National Guard, Truax Field, Madison. He was honorably discharged from the US Air Force Reserves on June 16, 1972. In 1967, Father Don went to St. Mary's, Stanley and a few years later, to St. Ann's, Stanley, the two parishes were consolidated into Holy Family Parish. After four years, he was appointed to Corpus Christi, Bakerville and one year later to St. Wenceslaus, Milladore. In 1980, Father Don was appointed to St. Therese, Rothschild until 1989 when he was transferred to St. Joachim's, Pittsville and also served Martyrs Chapel, Spalding/City Point. On July 6, 1999 he was granted status of Senior Priest and at that time moved back to his boyhood home in Edgar. Father Berg was a very humble and dedicated priest, and after his retirement enjoyed spending time in the parishes of Central Wisconsin to provide backup relief to the current pastor. Among his many involvements through the years, Father served as Moderator of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, was Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council No. 4628, Schofield and also served as Faithful Friar for the Knights of Columbus Pere Rene Menard General Assembly No. 1449, Wausau. Survivors include two sisters, Dottie Kelm, St. Paul, Minn., Sylvia (Bill) Fergot, Edgar, three brothers, Norbert (Marilyn) Berg, St. Paul, Minn., Marvin (Audrey) Berg, Gays Mills and David (Darlene) Berg, Edgar, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Paul Winkler, a brother, Tom Berg and a brother-in-law, Douglas Kelm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar. The Most Rev. William P. Callahan, Bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse will preside along with the priests of the diocese. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Edgar American Legion Post No. 393 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10187. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, P.O. Box 35, Edgar, WI 54426 or to the charity of your choice. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com