This obituary shares the life of Larry Berg, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
90 years ago, a farmer was born on a farm south of Bromhead who continued to farm in his head and heart until the day he passed. He was named Larry until 1978 when a new name was added following his first grandchild. He then became known and loved by all in his family as Papa.
Larry was born to Stanley and Julie Berg on August 21, 1932. He was born the second of four children and became the eldest of the siblings after the passing of his older brother Arthur in 1935. He has two sisters, Carol and Sylvia who grew up with him on the farm.
Larry loved life on the farm with the livestock. As a boy, he especially enjoyed the chickens but he spoke of how he considered it a chore to haul water on his wagon for the pigs. Growing up with chore responsibilities installed a tireless work ethic that continued all his years on the farm.
Larry attended Green Mount School from 1937 to 1945. It was about three miles from the farm to the school, which meant quite a trek for Larry and his sisters travelling on foot, horseback or horse drawn carriage and sled. Larry’s time at Green Mount landed him friendships that continued his entire life. He completed his high school education at Bromhead.
After school was completed, young Larry worked on the farm in the summer and took on employment off the farm in the winter. It was in this time when he courted the love of his life, Colleen, then married her a year later in 1953. On November 7 this year, Larry and Colleen celebrated their 69th anniversary and on that day, Larry said to Colleen “it took a long time for November 7th to get here…..69 years!” Larry always had something witty to say.
Larry and Colleen have three sons, Steven, Kelly, and Garth. Although he worked many hours, he always had time for his boys, playing baseball, working on motor bikes, and playing football including a memorable game when he kicked the ball through the bedroom window where Colleen was making the bed! Larry headed off running into the trees and left the boys to face Colleen.
Larry was an active community member serving as RM Councilor and Reeve. He was also on many other community committees and boards.
Larry loved sports and travelling often combining both attending several Silver Broom Curling Championships with Colleen. Winters in Arizona were cherished times for Larry as well.
Larry and Colleen purchased their condo and moved to Weyburn 2008. Larry the farmer still spent most of the summer months on the farm helping out and the spraying was mostly up to him. As the years passed, he developed great friendships with the daily coffee gang, although they were a bit of a bandit gang being uninvited to a local restaurant for reorganizing the tables to accommodate them every morning.
In May of 2021 Larry had a couple of car accidents that ultimately led to a demise in his health and landed him in Tatagwa Care Home. He spent the last year there and was happy and content. He was blessed with family and friends who often visited and he really enjoyed the staff and activities there especially daily trips to the Therapeutic Animal Park. In June Colleen bought him an electric wheel chair and he so loved the independence that gave him so he could tour the area daily and even down town on a few occasions!
The brightest times of Larry’s life revolved around his nine Grandchildren and twenty-four Great grandchildren. Papa was loved dearly by them all and he loved them back. Papa was always up for a party and loved playing games with the kids.
Papa was described as a gentle, kind, easygoing, happy man by those who have known him for years and the by people who cared for him the last year in the care home.
Papa loved life so we celebrate a life well lived.
Larry was predeceased by his father, Stanley Adolf Berg; mother, Julie Ingeborg Berg; brother, Arthur Berg; father In-law Leon H. Hjorth and mother In-law Gladys M. Hjorth.
Larry is survived by his wife of 69 years, Colleen Berg of Weyburn, SK; children, Steven (Sheila) of Bromhead, SK; Kelly (Karen) of Killarney, MB; Garth (Connie) of Regina, SK; sisters, Carole Parker of Edmonton, AB and Sylvia (Tom) Craven of Wynndel, BC; sister in-law, Laurie Hjorth of Calgary, AB; 9 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren as well as several loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Memorial Service was held on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. from the Grace United Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan with Reverend M. Barnabas officiating. For those unable to attend the memorial service, you may continue to view it by logging into, “Fletcher Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services” Facebook page. Interment followed the luncheon at Bromhead Cemetery, Bromhead, Saskatchewan.
For family and friends so wishing, donations in memory of Larry may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation 1738 Quebec Ave Unit 26 Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9 or the Weyburn Therapeutic Animal Park Inc 9 Souris Valley Rd, Weyburn, SK S4H 2Z9.
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