GARY LEE BERGER
GARY LEE BERGER
Gary Lee Berger, 74, died at home Monday, Nov. 20. 2023.
Gary was born Aug. 21, 1949, in Black River Falls to John and Verna (Bergerson) Berger. He attended school in Melrose before entering the work force full-time. Gary was a hard worker his whole life; beginning at the age of 12 working as a “hired man,” doing farm chores, until retiring from the construction and blacktopping industries because he just couldn’t do the work any longer. He was a true jack-of-all trades.
Gary was a family man as well, marrying the love of his life, Cheryl Prescott, and together raising two strapping young men, Steven and Scott, who never forgot the “pearls of wisdom” he was sure they would never forget, “work hard…make a lot of money.”
When he wasn’t working, he was working—either taking care of his yard and lawn or cutting, chopping and splitting wood for the colder seasons. Things did come to a halt when his Packers were playing, however. Gary enjoyed westerns, especially Gunsmoke. He loved country and western music - George “The Possum” Jones, Willie, Waylon, Buck Owens, Charlie Pride, Johnny Cash and Mel Tillis. As a younger man, he loved to go deer hunting until he couldn’t and was known to be quite the card player, particularly Euchre. He will truly be missed by all who knew him; God bless our memories of Gary.
Surviving Gary are his wife, Cheryl; his sons Steven (Amy) Berger and Scott (Jass Bauer) Berger; his five grandchildren, Cynthia Hollis, Cassandra Berger, Christine Berger. Carlie Berger and Caleb Berger; his great-granddaughter, Alexis Hollis; his brothers Leslie, John Jr. (Robin) and Richie (Leone); his sisters Linda (Fred) Kulig, Karen (Bernie) Schwarzhoff and LaVon Hynes; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Myron, Wayne and Vernon; his sister, Judy Rieck; sisters-in-law Karen and Judy Berger; and brother-in-law Richard Hynes.
A memorial service for Gary was held Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, W16679 County Road D, Ettrick, WI. Pastor John Ashland officiated. Burial and luncheon followed the service. Friends called on the family during a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. and during the luncheon.
The family would like to send a special “Thank You!” to Hope Chamberlain, Cheryl’s super sister who’s helped us through so much.
The Buswell Funeral Home, 106 S. Second St. in Black River Falls served the family. (715-284-2231)