Lewis S. Berge, 1867-1944

BERGE, EDWINSON, GARDNER, KRONSTAD

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/4/2009 at 06:39:52

Well-Known Early Settler Dies at Home of Daughter in Canton, S.D.

Was Early Leader in Church Affairs

Funeral services for Lewis S. Berge were held from the Immanuel Lutheran church on Wednesday, July 19th, with the Rev. L. G. Hinderaker officiating; assisted by Pastors Kronstad and Thompson. A mixed quartet, Mr. and Mrs. Leland Aanonson and Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Iverson sang two numbers. Pastor Kronstad sang a favorite song in Norwegian and spoke in behalf of the family.

Lewis S. Berge, son of Eve and Synnve Berge, was born in Herysund, Norway on March 27, 1867. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. In 1887, at the age of 20 years, he left his home in Norway and together with his younger brother, Halvor, he immigrated to America, taking up residence in Emmet County, Iowa where he has since lived.

On March 31, 1896 he was united in marriage to Bertine Edwinson; the daughter of Mandrup and Oline Edwinson. To this union five children were born. One child preceded him in death, Melvin, who passed away at the age of two years.

Mr. Berge has been one of the pioneer members of the Lutheran church. The year after he joined the church, he was voted in as a trustee and has held various offices in this church ever since. He has served as trustee, preceptor, deacon and held various other offices as well. His faithful attendance at all services in our church was an inspiration and will linger long as a blessed example. In his own home he led the family daily devotion, morning and evening. His interest in the Kingdom of God came first, not only in the local congregation but into many missions in gifts, interests and in the sending one daughter, Sylvia, as a foreign missionary. He was of a quiet nature and won for himself many friends, who
have held him in high esteem. He will be greatly missed both in the church and community.

Death came suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly from a heart attack on Sunday at 8 o'clock in the morning, July 10th. He and Mrs. Berge were visiting their daughter in Canton, South Dakota,
at whose home he passed away. He was 77 years, 3 months and 20 days.

He leaves to mourn his sudden departure, his wife; Mrs. Bertine Berge; and four children: Sylvia of La Paz, Bolivia, South America, Sylvester Berge of Wallingford, Iowa; Mrs. Oliver Gardner of Canton, South Dakota and Mrs. Malvina Kronstad of Wanamingo, Minnesota; one brother, Johannes, of Herysund, Norway; five grandchildren; a number of other relatives and a host of friends.

Interment was made in the High Lake cemetery.

Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; July 20, 1944.