Gary Wayne Berg

GARY WAYNE BERG, age 77 of Waseca, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Oaklawn Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.  

Gary was born in Albert Lea on August 9, 1947, to parents Oscar “Buddy” and Betty (Anderson) Berg. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from New Richland High School with the class of 1965. When Gary was only seventeen, he and some friends pursued early enlistment in the United States Navy. Immediately following his graduation he began his active military service. Gary was proud to become a Navy SeaBee and loved his time in the construction battalion while stationed in Vietnam. Gary was gravely injured by mortar fire on the first night of the Tet Offensive just days before the end of his tour. After lengthy stays in several hospitals he was awarded the Purple Heart. Although he remained legally blind and physically disabled, he returned to Minnesota and was proud to work as a block tender for Evenson Brothers Construction for many years. In 1967, he was married to Karen Matz in Port Hueneme, California. Although they later divorced, they continued a great friendship as time went on. At age 32 Gary returned to school to study business, first at UMW in Waseca where he earned an Associate’s Degree and later he earned his bachelor’s degree and graduated Suma Cum Laude from MSU in Mankato. Gary finished his working years with a 22-year career at the Internal Revenue Service.

Gary was a past Post Commander and Treasurer with the Waseca American Legion, he was a life member of the Waseca VFW, and he loved marching with his squad for many years. He also loved tending to his garden… so much so that in his later years he actually hauled Minnesota dirt to his winter home in Texas in order to plant his Good Friday Potatoes. Because Gary was legally blind following his military service, he was never able to drive a vehicle again. It was a part of his life that he desperately missed, and his family is so happy to know that after over 60 years he’s now able to drive that beloved red 57’ Chevy on streets paved in gold.

Gary is survived by four children, Michele (Al) Tischer of Austin, Marcie (Nathan) Ross of Waseca, Matthew (Kristina) Berg of Waseca, and Mitchell Berg of Chesapeake, VA; his former spouse and good friend, Karen Berg of Waseca; grandchildren Lucas Tischer, Katey (Kyle) Sellers, and Isaac (Alyssa) Tischer all of Austin, Emilee (Blake) Kortuem, Alex (Carley Larson) Ross, and Juliana (Nathan) Sipe all of Waseca, Jordyn (Gavin) Doering of OK, Ryan Berg of Waseca, and Noah Berg of SC, Tyler Berg, Oscar Berg, and Lauren Berg, all of VA; great-grandchildren, Oaklyn and Cleo Tischer, Amelia and Charlotte Sellers, Tate and Will Kortuem, and Liam Berg; and siblings Kathy (Edgar) Peterman of Anoka, and Kris (Gary) Budach of New Richland.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents; a great-niece Finly Budach; and many other special relatives.

Gary’s family would like to express special thanks to Amanda, Jami, and Josie as well as the other staff at Oaklawn Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mankato for the fantastic loving care that they offered to Gary over the past two years. 

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, and will continue for two hours before the service at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Le Sueur River Lutheran Church in rural New Richland, with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Interment will follow at Le Sueur River Lutheran Cemetery.