Kenny R. Berg, age 70, of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Dodgeville died peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2005, at his residence in Dodgeville. He was born on September 10, 1935, in Livingston, Wis. He attended first grade in Livingston and second through fifth grades at Auer Avenue in Milwaukee. In the spring of 1946, the family bought a farm near Cobb where he attended school in 1953. In his four years of high school, during pea harvest, he worked in the field for the Cobb Canning Company. After graduation, he shocked grain in South Dakota; and that fall, he worked as a welder in the Chevy plant in Janesville. He returned to the farm in the spring of 1954, and then volunteered for the Army draft. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and continued for another nine years in the active Army Reserves. He farmed the Cobb farm from 1956 until 1960.
While farming in 1958, he was one of the first pioneers in the liquid feed industry as a dealer for Morea Liquid Feed and a pioneer in anhydrous ammonia in Iowa County. In 1960, he moved to Dodgeville, sold his retail business and was employed by and served the Wisconsin Liquid Feed Corporation as district manager in southwest Wisconsin marketing LPS. He was promoted to executive vice president in charge of marketing in the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois until 1977, when the company was sold. On September 1, 1977, he founded Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF); in 1981, Quality Liquid Feeds Manufacturing Inc.; in 1988, Western QLF (a 50-50 partnership with Land O’Lakes); in 1994, Larken (50-50 partnership in Michigan) that he bought out in 1997. At this time, QLF had eight manufacturing plants with marketing in 26 states and Canada. He also sold technology contracts to firms based in the UK and China. In 1997, he stepped back in leadership; and on January 1, 1997, his youngest son, Cory, became president of QLF. In 1999, a plant was built in Wellsville, Ohio, to better serve Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. In 2003, he retired and lived in Mesa, Ariz., for seven months each year; and he helped the family business by introducing QLF to the market in Arizona. A liquid feed plant was built in Casa Grande, Ariz., in 2004. He established and was past owner of the Courthouse Inn and Pizza Express in Dodgeville from June 1, 1989, until May 31, 1992; JB Feedlots in Cobb in 1964; and Quality Feed Products (Redy Roast Feeds) in Rewey in 1984 before selling the business to his six children (Berg Partners LLC). In 1992, he established Valley Wonderfall, selling it on September 1, 2004. In 1993, he purchased 130 acres east of Dodgeville; and in 1997, he founded Greater Heights Inc., to start a much needed affordable housing subdivision. This property was sold to Berg Partners LLC for development. In 1994-95, his plans to build a 27-hole championship golf course with clubhouse and a 500-seat convention hall along with 80 residential housing lots died for lack of rezoning. He served as charter president and president of Dodgeville Optimists, was a past member of the Dodgeville Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He served for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Washington, D.C., as secretary (1984), president elect (1990), president (1991) and financial chairman (1995-97 for the Liquid Feed Industry and was elected to the National Board of Directors of the AFIA (1994-96) in Washington. He was a member of the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97. He was named and won the Wisconsin Small Business award in 1991. He was in the finals for the Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1994 and 1995. He was named Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1996 and was named in their hall of fame. He was nominated for Manufacturer of the Year in 1993. He was recognized in 1995 as one of the top CEOs in the country. He was named in Who’s-Who. Kenny married Jeanne Matousek on June 16, 1956, until April 11, 1994. Kenny then married Beatrice “Bea Ann” Skaar-Erickson on June 28, 1997, where Governor Tommy Thompson attended and presented a proclamation declaring June 28 as “Kenny and Bea Day” in Wisconsin. Throughout the years, he was most generous in his giving to charities, churches and the Republican Party. He and his wife, Bea, were co-chairs of the Major Advance Committee for Upland Hills Health Campaign in 2000. The hospital’s goal was one million dollars in contributions — Kenny’s goal was one and a half million dollars. More than one and a half million dollars was raised by all committees. He lived by “Help all the people you can, by all the means you can for as long as you can.” He was a class act by being friends to people from all walks of life, helping many people.
He is survived by his wife, Bea Ann, of Mesa, Ariz., and Dodgeville; and his six children, Kelly Berg of Chicago, Ill., Tony (Kathy) Berg of Byron, Ill., Julie (Norm) Gilbertson of Oktaha, Okla., Lisa (Blane) Greene of Dodgeville, Cory (Mary) Berg of Dodgeville and Kimberly Berg of Dodgeville; three stepdaughters, Carolyn (Todd) Ernster of Plover, Wanda (Pete) Willcom of Plover and Emily (Jeff) Kostner of Buffalo City, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and a great-grandson; 14 step grandchildren; sister, Delores Christian of Prairie du Sac; brother, Larry (Linda) Berg of Dodgeville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alma (Gundlach) Cooms of Livingston and Oscar and Mae (Orton Bereg of Linden; his mother, Kathryn Grace Berg on September 19, 1988; a loving companion, Bonnie Mae on April 11, 1995; and his father, Lelan O. Berg on March 27, 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2005, at Dodgeville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rom Pegram officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2005, at Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the Rock Church Cemetery, rural Livingston, with military honors by the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his memory.
I’ve been to the mountain top, I’ve been to the sea; I pray the Lord will give grace to me.
While farming in 1958, he was one of the first pioneers in the liquid feed industry as a dealer for Morea Liquid Feed and a pioneer in anhydrous ammonia in Iowa County. In 1960, he moved to Dodgeville, sold his retail business and was employed by and served the Wisconsin Liquid Feed Corporation as district manager in southwest Wisconsin marketing LPS. He was promoted to executive vice president in charge of marketing in the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois until 1977, when the company was sold. On September 1, 1977, he founded Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF); in 1981, Quality Liquid Feeds Manufacturing Inc.; in 1988, Western QLF (a 50-50 partnership with Land O’Lakes); in 1994, Larken (50-50 partnership in Michigan) that he bought out in 1997. At this time, QLF had eight manufacturing plants with marketing in 26 states and Canada. He also sold technology contracts to firms based in the UK and China. In 1997, he stepped back in leadership; and on January 1, 1997, his youngest son, Cory, became president of QLF. In 1999, a plant was built in Wellsville, Ohio, to better serve Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. In 2003, he retired and lived in Mesa, Ariz., for seven months each year; and he helped the family business by introducing QLF to the market in Arizona. A liquid feed plant was built in Casa Grande, Ariz., in 2004. He established and was past owner of the Courthouse Inn and Pizza Express in Dodgeville from June 1, 1989, until May 31, 1992; JB Feedlots in Cobb in 1964; and Quality Feed Products (Redy Roast Feeds) in Rewey in 1984 before selling the business to his six children (Berg Partners LLC). In 1992, he established Valley Wonderfall, selling it on September 1, 2004. In 1993, he purchased 130 acres east of Dodgeville; and in 1997, he founded Greater Heights Inc., to start a much needed affordable housing subdivision. This property was sold to Berg Partners LLC for development. In 1994-95, his plans to build a 27-hole championship golf course with clubhouse and a 500-seat convention hall along with 80 residential housing lots died for lack of rezoning. He served as charter president and president of Dodgeville Optimists, was a past member of the Dodgeville Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He served for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Washington, D.C., as secretary (1984), president elect (1990), president (1991) and financial chairman (1995-97 for the Liquid Feed Industry and was elected to the National Board of Directors of the AFIA (1994-96) in Washington. He was a member of the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97. He was named and won the Wisconsin Small Business award in 1991. He was in the finals for the Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1994 and 1995. He was named Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1996 and was named in their hall of fame. He was nominated for Manufacturer of the Year in 1993. He was recognized in 1995 as one of the top CEOs in the country. He was named in Who’s-Who. Kenny married Jeanne Matousek on June 16, 1956, until April 11, 1994. Kenny then married Beatrice “Bea Ann” Skaar-Erickson on June 28, 1997, where Governor Tommy Thompson attended and presented a proclamation declaring June 28 as “Kenny and Bea Day” in Wisconsin. Throughout the years, he was most generous in his giving to charities, churches and the Republican Party. He and his wife, Bea, were co-chairs of the Major Advance Committee for Upland Hills Health Campaign in 2000. The hospital’s goal was one million dollars in contributions — Kenny’s goal was one and a half million dollars. More than one and a half million dollars was raised by all committees. He lived by “Help all the people you can, by all the means you can for as long as you can.” He was a class act by being friends to people from all walks of life, helping many people.
He is survived by his wife, Bea Ann, of Mesa, Ariz., and Dodgeville; and his six children, Kelly Berg of Chicago, Ill., Tony (Kathy) Berg of Byron, Ill., Julie (Norm) Gilbertson of Oktaha, Okla., Lisa (Blane) Greene of Dodgeville, Cory (Mary) Berg of Dodgeville and Kimberly Berg of Dodgeville; three stepdaughters, Carolyn (Todd) Ernster of Plover, Wanda (Pete) Willcom of Plover and Emily (Jeff) Kostner of Buffalo City, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and a great-grandson; 14 step grandchildren; sister, Delores Christian of Prairie du Sac; brother, Larry (Linda) Berg of Dodgeville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alma (Gundlach) Cooms of Livingston and Oscar and Mae (Orton Bereg of Linden; his mother, Kathryn Grace Berg on September 19, 1988; a loving companion, Bonnie Mae on April 11, 1995; and his father, Lelan O. Berg on March 27, 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2005, at Dodgeville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rom Pegram officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2005, at Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the Rock Church Cemetery, rural Livingston, with military honors by the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his memory.
I’ve been to the mountain top, I’ve been to the sea; I pray the Lord will give grace to me.
Kenny R. Berg, age 70, of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Dodgeville died peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2005, at his residence in Dodgeville. He was born on September 10, 1935, in Livingston, Wis. He attended first grade in Livingston and second through fifth grades at Auer Avenue in Milwaukee. In the spring of 1946, the family bought a farm near Cobb where he attended school in 1953. In his four years of high school, during pea harvest, he worked in the field for the Cobb Canning Company. After graduation, he shocked grain in South Dakota; and that fall, he worked as a welder in the Chevy plant in Janesville. He returned to the farm in the spring of 1954, and then volunteered for the Army draft. He was honorably discharged in 1956 and continued for another nine years in the active Army Reserves. He farmed the Cobb farm from 1956 until 1960.
While farming in 1958, he was one of the first pioneers in the liquid feed industry as a dealer for Morea Liquid Feed and a pioneer in anhydrous ammonia in Iowa County. In 1960, he moved to Dodgeville, sold his retail business and was employed by and served the Wisconsin Liquid Feed Corporation as district manager in southwest Wisconsin marketing LPS. He was promoted to executive vice president in charge of marketing in the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois until 1977, when the company was sold. On September 1, 1977, he founded Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF); in 1981, Quality Liquid Feeds Manufacturing Inc.; in 1988, Western QLF (a 50-50 partnership with Land O’Lakes); in 1994, Larken (50-50 partnership in Michigan) that he bought out in 1997. At this time, QLF had eight manufacturing plants with marketing in 26 states and Canada. He also sold technology contracts to firms based in the UK and China. In 1997, he stepped back in leadership; and on January 1, 1997, his youngest son, Cory, became president of QLF. In 1999, a plant was built in Wellsville, Ohio, to better serve Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. In 2003, he retired and lived in Mesa, Ariz., for seven months each year; and he helped the family business by introducing QLF to the market in Arizona. A liquid feed plant was built in Casa Grande, Ariz., in 2004. He established and was past owner of the Courthouse Inn and Pizza Express in Dodgeville from June 1, 1989, until May 31, 1992; JB Feedlots in Cobb in 1964; and Quality Feed Products (Redy Roast Feeds) in Rewey in 1984 before selling the business to his six children (Berg Partners LLC). In 1992, he established Valley Wonderfall, selling it on September 1, 2004. In 1993, he purchased 130 acres east of Dodgeville; and in 1997, he founded Greater Heights Inc., to start a much needed affordable housing subdivision. This property was sold to Berg Partners LLC for development. In 1994-95, his plans to build a 27-hole championship golf course with clubhouse and a 500-seat convention hall along with 80 residential housing lots died for lack of rezoning. He served as charter president and president of Dodgeville Optimists, was a past member of the Dodgeville Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He served for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Washington, D.C., as secretary (1984), president elect (1990), president (1991) and financial chairman (1995-97 for the Liquid Feed Industry and was elected to the National Board of Directors of the AFIA (1994-96) in Washington. He was a member of the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97. He was named and won the Wisconsin Small Business award in 1991. He was in the finals for the Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1994 and 1995. He was named Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1996 and was named in their hall of fame. He was nominated for Manufacturer of the Year in 1993. He was recognized in 1995 as one of the top CEOs in the country. He was named in Who’s-Who. Kenny married Jeanne Matousek on June 16, 1956, until April 11, 1994. Kenny then married Beatrice “Bea Ann” Skaar-Erickson on June 28, 1997, where Governor Tommy Thompson attended and presented a proclamation declaring June 28 as “Kenny and Bea Day” in Wisconsin. Throughout the years, he was most generous in his giving to charities, churches and the Republican Party. He and his wife, Bea, were co-chairs of the Major Advance Committee for Upland Hills Health Campaign in 2000. The hospital’s goal was one million dollars in contributions — Kenny’s goal was one and a half million dollars. More than one and a half million dollars was raised by all committees. He lived by “Help all the people you can, by all the means you can for as long as you can.” He was a class act by being friends to people from all walks of life, helping many people.
He is survived by his wife, Bea Ann, of Mesa, Ariz., and Dodgeville; and his six children, Kelly Berg of Chicago, Ill., Tony (Kathy) Berg of Byron, Ill., Julie (Norm) Gilbertson of Oktaha, Okla., Lisa (Blane) Greene of Dodgeville, Cory (Mary) Berg of Dodgeville and Kimberly Berg of Dodgeville; three stepdaughters, Carolyn (Todd) Ernster of Plover, Wanda (Pete) Willcom of Plover and Emily (Jeff) Kostner of Buffalo City, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and a great-grandson; 14 step grandchildren; sister, Delores Christian of Prairie du Sac; brother, Larry (Linda) Berg of Dodgeville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alma (Gundlach) Cooms of Livingston and Oscar and Mae (Orton Bereg of Linden; his mother, Kathryn Grace Berg on September 19, 1988; a loving companion, Bonnie Mae on April 11, 1995; and his father, Lelan O. Berg on March 27, 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2005, at Dodgeville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rom Pegram officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2005, at Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the Rock Church Cemetery, rural Livingston, with military honors by the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his memory.
I’ve been to the mountain top, I’ve been to the sea; I pray the Lord will give grace to me.
While farming in 1958, he was one of the first pioneers in the liquid feed industry as a dealer for Morea Liquid Feed and a pioneer in anhydrous ammonia in Iowa County. In 1960, he moved to Dodgeville, sold his retail business and was employed by and served the Wisconsin Liquid Feed Corporation as district manager in southwest Wisconsin marketing LPS. He was promoted to executive vice president in charge of marketing in the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois until 1977, when the company was sold. On September 1, 1977, he founded Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF); in 1981, Quality Liquid Feeds Manufacturing Inc.; in 1988, Western QLF (a 50-50 partnership with Land O’Lakes); in 1994, Larken (50-50 partnership in Michigan) that he bought out in 1997. At this time, QLF had eight manufacturing plants with marketing in 26 states and Canada. He also sold technology contracts to firms based in the UK and China. In 1997, he stepped back in leadership; and on January 1, 1997, his youngest son, Cory, became president of QLF. In 1999, a plant was built in Wellsville, Ohio, to better serve Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. In 2003, he retired and lived in Mesa, Ariz., for seven months each year; and he helped the family business by introducing QLF to the market in Arizona. A liquid feed plant was built in Casa Grande, Ariz., in 2004. He established and was past owner of the Courthouse Inn and Pizza Express in Dodgeville from June 1, 1989, until May 31, 1992; JB Feedlots in Cobb in 1964; and Quality Feed Products (Redy Roast Feeds) in Rewey in 1984 before selling the business to his six children (Berg Partners LLC). In 1992, he established Valley Wonderfall, selling it on September 1, 2004. In 1993, he purchased 130 acres east of Dodgeville; and in 1997, he founded Greater Heights Inc., to start a much needed affordable housing subdivision. This property was sold to Berg Partners LLC for development. In 1994-95, his plans to build a 27-hole championship golf course with clubhouse and a 500-seat convention hall along with 80 residential housing lots died for lack of rezoning. He served as charter president and president of Dodgeville Optimists, was a past member of the Dodgeville Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He served for the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in Washington, D.C., as secretary (1984), president elect (1990), president (1991) and financial chairman (1995-97 for the Liquid Feed Industry and was elected to the National Board of Directors of the AFIA (1994-96) in Washington. He was a member of the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97. He was named and won the Wisconsin Small Business award in 1991. He was in the finals for the Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1994 and 1995. He was named Wisconsin Master Entrepreneur in 1996 and was named in their hall of fame. He was nominated for Manufacturer of the Year in 1993. He was recognized in 1995 as one of the top CEOs in the country. He was named in Who’s-Who. Kenny married Jeanne Matousek on June 16, 1956, until April 11, 1994. Kenny then married Beatrice “Bea Ann” Skaar-Erickson on June 28, 1997, where Governor Tommy Thompson attended and presented a proclamation declaring June 28 as “Kenny and Bea Day” in Wisconsin. Throughout the years, he was most generous in his giving to charities, churches and the Republican Party. He and his wife, Bea, were co-chairs of the Major Advance Committee for Upland Hills Health Campaign in 2000. The hospital’s goal was one million dollars in contributions — Kenny’s goal was one and a half million dollars. More than one and a half million dollars was raised by all committees. He lived by “Help all the people you can, by all the means you can for as long as you can.” He was a class act by being friends to people from all walks of life, helping many people.
He is survived by his wife, Bea Ann, of Mesa, Ariz., and Dodgeville; and his six children, Kelly Berg of Chicago, Ill., Tony (Kathy) Berg of Byron, Ill., Julie (Norm) Gilbertson of Oktaha, Okla., Lisa (Blane) Greene of Dodgeville, Cory (Mary) Berg of Dodgeville and Kimberly Berg of Dodgeville; three stepdaughters, Carolyn (Todd) Ernster of Plover, Wanda (Pete) Willcom of Plover and Emily (Jeff) Kostner of Buffalo City, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; and a great-grandson; 14 step grandchildren; sister, Delores Christian of Prairie du Sac; brother, Larry (Linda) Berg of Dodgeville; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Alma (Gundlach) Cooms of Livingston and Oscar and Mae (Orton Bereg of Linden; his mother, Kathryn Grace Berg on September 19, 1988; a loving companion, Bonnie Mae on April 11, 1995; and his father, Lelan O. Berg on March 27, 2001.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2005, at Dodgeville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rom Pegram officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2005, at Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort, and from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the Rock Church Cemetery, rural Livingston, with military honors by the Dodgeville American Legion Post 97.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his memory.
I’ve been to the mountain top, I’ve been to the sea; I pray the Lord will give grace to me.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
