Inez A. Berge

Inez A. Berge, age 88, of Decorah, IA, died Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Promise House Assisted Living in Hiawatha, IA. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Mark Kvale officiating. Burial will be in church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Wednesday beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church. Inez Anita (Gilbertson) Berge was born on October 30, 1926 in Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred and Isabel (Bakken) Gilbertson. She was baptized November 25, 1926 at Madison Lutheran Church by Pastor D. C. Jordahl and confirmed June 1, 1941 at First Lutheran Church by Pastor T. A. Hoff. She attended school in Decorah through 5th grade and then attended Madison #2 School. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1944. Inez was united in marriage to Joseph Orlando Berge on September 29, 1946 at First Lutheran Church by Pastor T. A. Hoff. This union was blessed with four children: Curt, Carol, Jeff and Janice. They farmed in Decorah Township until 1978 and then rented out the farm. In 1990 they sold the farm and moved to Decorah. Inez worked at Ronnie’s Café, Midland Mfg. Co., Winneshiek County Clerk of Court office and at the Anundsen Publishing Company for over 30 years. She enjoyed working part time at Anundsen’s after retirement. She was a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church and also a member of the Skyliners Polka Club. Inez enjoyed her family and friends, needlework, reading, working jig saw puzzles and dancing with Joe. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Joseph on October 17, 2005; two brothers, Orin and Vernon Gilbertson; three sisters: Olive Hotvedt, Arline Edde and Margaret Kruchek; son-in-law, Dean Bender; four brothers-in-law: Alton Hotvedt, Harry Edde, Curt Rosendahl and George Kruchek; three sisters-in-law: Vera Gilbertson, Bernice Gilbertson and Charlene Gilbertson; two nieces, Sharon Elliott and Barbara Rosendahl; and one nephew, Karl Gilbertson. Inez is survived by her four children: Curt (Marge) Berge of Lexington, KY, Carol (Scott) Swanson of St. Anthony, MN, Jeff Berge of Tipton, IA and Jan (Gary) Myers of Ely, IA; six grandchildren: Keri (Bill) Smith of Lexington, KY, Jason Berge of Plano, TX, Eric (Jan) Bender of Coon Valley, WI, Lynette Henry of Decorah, IA, Shaun (Carrie) Myers of Ely, IA and Tina (Josh) Darnell of Bondurant, IA; twelve great-grandchilden: Dominique (Drew) Neel, Diana Smith, Lindsey Smith and Tyler Berge all of Lexington, KY, Emmitt Edwards and Emily Bender of Coon Valley, WI, Anthony Henry and Danielle Henry of Decorah, IA, Allissa Shatto and Atreyu Darnell of Bondurant, IA and Laney and Livvie Myers of Ely, IA; one great-great granddaughter Jaylee Henry (due in July); sister Norma Rosendahl of Osage, IA; brother Robert Gilbertson of Decorah, IA; and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, Decorah, IA 52101 or the Decorah Senior Center (Meal Site), 806 River Street, Decorah, IA 52101.