Groton - Mass of Christian burial for Charles J. Berg, 97, of Groton, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Groton. Father David Janes will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. Visitation will be held at the chapel from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation continues prior to services Saturday. Charles passed away Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, at Earle Brown Farm, Brooklyn Center, Minn. Charles Jacob Berg was born March 13, 1907, to Thomas and Anna (Zimmer) Berg in British Hollow, Wis. He was raised there until the age of seven when his parents moved to South Dakota and settled near Groton. He farmed with his parents and on his own until the age of 45, when he married Helen (Marko) Haywood in 1952. They had one daughter, Sharon in 1953. They worked together farming until retirement in 1970. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Groton. Charles was known by most as “Charlie” and was often known by virtue of his age and tenure in the community as a “historian,” and with an accurate memory and recollection of the events, occurrences, and people in and around the Groton area. He was a passionate fisherman and hunter, frequently enjoying outings with family and friends. Quiet and soft spoken, Charlie was most often supportive of others and with conviction. Survivors include his daughter, Sharon (Jerry) Hertaus of Greenfield, Minn.; two stepsons, Ronald (Rayola) Haywood of Sumner, Wash., and Gene (Maxine) Haywood Sr. of Perry, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, parents, his brother Joseph, and two grandchildren. The family prefers memorials be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 107 East 7th Ave., Groton, SD 57445.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 11/12/2004.