Donald L. Berg

Donald L. Berg age 94 of Detroit Lakes, MN died July 10, 2023 at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.

Donald LeRoy Berg was born October 8, 1928 in rural Lake Park, MN to Palmer and Olga (Larson) Berg. He graduated from Hawley High School and then attended the Detroit Lakes Business College. Don served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 and spent 27 months in Germany as part of the Military Air Transport Services (MATS). They hauled passengers, freight and mail throughout the world. Don participated in the “Airlift for Allah” where the Air Force helped bring 3,763 Muslim pilgrims from Beruit, Lebanon to Mecca in time for religious observances.

On July 31, 1954 he was united in marriage to Marian B. Illg. Don worked for the Department of Interior from 1955 – 1959 at the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge near Detroit Lakes and at the Des Lacs Refuge in Kenmare, ND. He then worked as a letter Carrier in Detroit Lakes from 1961 until his retirement in 1984. He also worked part-time for the Fergus Falls Monument Company for 53 years.

Don was a lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion, and a past member of the Eagles and Elks in Detroit Lakes. Don served on the MN State Board of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) for 14 years and was President and Steward of the local branch of the NALC for 18 years. Don and Marian attended many state and national conventions over the years in various cities throughout the country.

Don was an active member at Trinity Lutheran Church. He served on the Trinity Lutheran Foundation Board for several years. He was a charter member of the Stephens Ministries and at one time served as Treasurer for Lutheran Brotherhood. He also founded the Gerdes Scholarship at Trinity. Don also a treasurer for the Detroit Lakes Curling Club and was a volunteer for the “Helping Hands” organization through Ecumen.

His hobbies included golfing, gardening, and traveling. He traveled extensively throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. He also visited Norway three times. Don was also a self- taught woodworker who created intricate designs to share with family and friends. He also made wooden crosses that were distributed to the seniors at Trinity.

He is survived by two daughters, Barb (Terry Dibley) Berg, of Maple Grove, MN and Cindy (Jim) Irving, of Bloomington, IL; two grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Zach Fowler) Berg-Dibley, of Graham, WA; and Evan Berg-Dibley, of Mpls, MN; one sister, Delaine (Sheldon) Struble, of Lake Park, MN; brothers in-law, Norbert Illg, of Frazee, MN and Steven Illg, of Moorhead, MN and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marian; infant twin sons; one brother, Lester Berg; two sisters, Bernice Schulstad Olson, and LeVoyne Littlefield; and his parents.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation, Hospice of the Red River Valley, or the Olga and Palmer Berg Family First Generation Endowed Scholarship at Minnesota State University Moorhead.