Richard A. Berg

Richard A. Berg, 71, of Coon Valley died Sunday May 17, 2009 at his home. He was born December 25, 1937 to John and Agnes (Strupp) Berg Sr. in La Crosse. He was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Richard married Rachel Bjornstad on June 27, 1959 at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Rockford, Illinois for 9 years before moving to Coon Valley in 1968. Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962. He worked at Trane Company in La Crosse for 28 years and also owned and operated Berg Refrigeration for almost 40 years.

He was a member of the Coon Valley Lutheran Church where he had served on the church council, the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116 where he had served as Commander, the 40 and 8 and the Coon Valley Lions. Richard greatly enjoyed his many years as caretaker of the Coon Valley American Legion Hall.

Survivors include his wife Rachel; one son Jeffery Berg of Westby; one granddaughter Ashley Berg of La Crosse; 2 sisters Joyce (Marvin) Temp of Coon Valley and Mary Elsen of La Crosse; 2 brothers John Jr. "Jack" (Shirley) and Kenneth (Yvonne) all of Coon Valley and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Shari in 1987 and a brother-in-law David Elsen in 2006.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday May 21, 2009 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be sent directly to the church or charity of your choice.

We would like to express our heartfelt thank you to all who have helped or given in any way. In lieu of sending individual thank-you's, we will be making a donation to the Bethel Buttik in Westby.