Eldon Berg: 1937-2021
Eldon Berg was welcomed to his heavenly home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 1, 2021, at the age of 84. He was a resident of Tieszen Memorial Home, Marion, S.D., when he passed.
Eldon H Berg was born on Aug. 17, 1937 to Henry C. and Mary Engbrecht Berg. He grew up on the family farm. He joined two older sisters Ethel (David) Martin and Ella (Eugene) Tieszen and later Lois (Larry) Kaufman joined the family. He was baptized by Rev. T. A. van der Smissen and joined the Bethesda Mennonite Church where he remained a faithful member. He served as a Sunday school superintendent, adult Sunday school teacher, and on the trustee and deacon boards. Eldon was a child of God and his family saw God’s touch in his life.
On Jan. 16, 1958 Eldon married Geraldine Dykstra at the Sandham Memorial Reformed Church (now Calvary Reformed) in Monroe, S.D. They were blessed to be married 63 years. They moved to an acreage near Dolton, S.D., and later moved back to his home place near Dolton. In 2003 they moved to Marion. They were blessed with three daughters: Linda (Duane) Deckert of Minot, N.D.; Vonda (Randy) Sturzenbecher of Black Hawk, S.D. and Nancy (Rodney) Becker of Sioux Falls, S.D. They were also blessed with six grandchildren: Heather (Aaron) Christopher, Joel Deckert, Ryan Sturzenbecher, Megan Sutton and fiancé Dylan Zwiers, Christopher Becker (Mackenzie Roby), and Jenna Becker. Eldon loved his grandchildren and loved wrestling with them when they were little and playing games with them when they were older.
Eldon enjoyed driving and many of his jobs involved “road time.” He drove a bulk milk truck route and was a heavy equipment operator for Turner Country until he retired. Through his working years he also farmed, worked with construction in Sioux Falls, sheared sheep, fattened steers, painted buildings and trimmed trees. In his retirement years he often drove others to appointments, airports, etc. In one year, he and Geraldine also traveled as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska and south to the Florida Keys.
Eldon was an example of servant leadership. He served on the museum board in Freeman in the earlier years, was a board member for the Minn/Kota MCC Sale and worked with Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) as their state coordinator for several years. He and Geraldine volunteered with MDS both locally and in Texas, Kansas, on the border of Alabama and Florida, and North Dakota.
Eldon learned the skill of rope-making in the early 1980’s. Over the years he made countless jump ropes with the kids at the MCC Sales throughout the Midwest. Hundreds of his ropes have been distributed world-wide as part of Operation Christmas Child boxes.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; his daughters: Linda (Duane) Deckert of Minot, N.D., Vonda (Randy) Sturzenbecher of Black Hawk, S.D. and Nancy (Rodney) Becker of Sioux Falls, S.D.; six grandchildren; his sister, Lois (Larry) Kaufman; and sister-in-law Delna (Bob) Mulhair; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Eldon wanted any memorials to be designated to Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch, Inc., Mennonite Disaster Service or to the charity of your choice.
