Gary Lee Berger, age 74, died at home Monday November 20, 2023.
Gary was born August 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 twelve working as a “hired man”, doing
farm chores, until retiring from the construction and black topping 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, Vernon; his sister
Judy Rieck; sisters-in-law Karen and Judy Berger and brother-in-law Richard Hynes.
A memorial service for Gary will be held Friday December 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the
South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, W16679 County Road D, Ettrick, WI. Pastor John
Ashland will officiate. Burial and luncheon will follow the service. Friends may call on the
family during a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM 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 is serving the family.
(715) 284-2231.