BERG Orlan

BERG, Orlan Junior

December 23, 1928 – February 29, 2016

Orlan Junior Berg, beloved husband of Loreen Berg, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2016. He was born in Claresholm on December 23, 1928 to Morris and Myrtle Berg and was the oldest of 3 children. Orlan farmed and raised cattle all his life just outside of Claresholm. He went to tech school and learned how to weld; helping many neighbors over the years. For 50 years he drove 3 generations of children on his school bus. Lots of “his” kids knew they were in trouble when those big eyebrows came down. Dad was a long term member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving many terms as president and deacon and loved to sing bass in the choir. He loved to drive and always wanted to be a greyhound bus driver. Dad and Mom drove across Canada many times to visit their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Nova Scotia; to Alaska, and many trips to the mountains and throughout the US. Dad loved to take photos of waterfalls and mountains throughout their travels and we all have some of those memories.

Dad and Mom have five daughters. He was inventive in keeping us entertained and would often flood us a rink to skate on, teach us how to ride our bikes or drive the car while on his lap, welded and mounted basketball nets in the barn loft and pulled us behind the tractor on our sled. It seemed as though Dad was always surrounded by women wherever he went. He was the chauffeur for mom and her friends to many events.

In retirement Dad learned how to type, run a computer, weave and play the piano. He wrote a book of his memoirs that many have enjoyed. He also discovered carpentry and built, donated and sold many bird houses, whirly gigs, churches and elevators that he would cajole Mom into painting.

Lovingly remembered and forever in our hearts by his wife, Loreen, his daughters Cheryl Berg, Wendy (Gordon) Frank, Debbie (Bruce) Rathbun, Janice (Gord) Foxcroft, Brenda (Lindsay) Bell; his grandchildren: Dylana (Dustin) Pretty, Trina Frank, Jill (Michael) Hooke, Greg (Erica) Frank, Marina (Michael) Doak, Brad (Chelsea) Rathbun, Mitch & Riley Foxcroft; great-grandchildren: Olivia Pretty, Eli and Wyatt Hooke, Caspian Doak, Rory, Astrid and Rhys Rathbun, Alexander Rathbun; his sister Marlene (Jack) Thompson and Sister-in-law Bernice (Per) Sakstad, brother-in-law Norman Wold and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brother, Wayne Berg.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 4th at Peace Lutheran Church, 4304 – 2 St. West, Claresholm with Pastor Donna Alm officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Orlan’s name may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K7 or the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements in care of WILLOW CREEK FUNERAL HOME, Claresholm, Alberta. Telephone: 403-625-3212

Forward condolences through www.willowcreekfuneralhome.com