Louis H. Berka (1890-1927)

BERKA, SOPER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal March 25, 1927 (page 1)

Sudden Death of Louis H. Berka World War Vet

Louis H. Berka, 36, World War veteran, died Wednesday at the government hospital at Fort Lyons, Colorado, the news of his sudden death reaching here as a great shock to members of the family and friends, who had been advised of his encouraging condition.

The body will reach Nevada Saturday morning at 7:20 over the Northwestern, and the funeral will be held at Bishop's Funeral Parlors Saturday afternoon at 2:30 with Rev. J. George Walz in charge. He will be buried in the Nevada cemetery with military honors, he being a member of Nevada Post No. 48 American Legion.

There have been no particulars received as yet regarding the cause of his very sudden death. A letter was received Thursday morning, in which he had written on Monday, in which he spoke of his improved condition, and showed a brightening of spirit hope for recovery, from tuberculosis, for which he had been under treatment for about a year.

Louis, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Berka has lived almost his entire life in Nevada. He was born at Lamoille, Iowa May 28, 1891 and come to Nevada with his parents when but a small boy. After his service in the army, he returned to Nevada and was for many years employed by Blackman Bros., at the gardens here, where he was a favorite and trusted employee.

During 1925 he began to fail and for some time was confined to his home before it was determined that he had developed lung trouble, probably contracted in the service and in March of last year he went down to Oakdale, where he spent about ten months in treatment. Deciding that treatment in a government hospital in a southern and drier climate would be more beneficial, he came home from Oakdale, remained here for a few weeks and then left for Fort Lyons, where he entered a government hospital and had been there a month when he was suddenly taken--probably from heart trouble.

Louis Berka was a young man of exceptionally fine character. Of a quiet and unassuming nature, his circle of acquaintances was not wide, but among those by whom he was known, he was considered a young man of real character and of the finest integrity. His great interest had always been in his home and his work.

He leaves besides his parents, four brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Frederick Berka of Colo and Milo, Jerry and Harry Berka of this city, while the sisters are Mrs. B. M. Soper of this city, Miss Louise Berka of Oelwein and Miss Betty Berka, at home.

He was a member of Nevada Post American Legion and of Samson Lodge No. 77 Knights of Pythias.

From Nevada Evening Journa March 28, 1927 (page 5)

"Taps" Sounded for World War Veteran Sunday Afternoon

As the salute from the rifles of firing squad from Nevada Post No. 48 American Legion rang out over the westward and the sounds of "taps" were echoing back from the hills, the body of Louis H. Berka, World War veteran was lowered in to the grave on the brow of the hills facing the west in Nevada cemetery Sunday afternoon at 3:15.

The body had reached here early Saturday morning from Fort Lyons, Colo., where he had died at the veterans hospital and had lain at the Bishop Funeral home, until Sunday afternoon at 2:30, when the funeral services were held.

The house was filled with members of the family, Legionaires, Knights of Pythias and neighbors and friends. Every available portion of the large parlors were filled with people who had gathered to pay their final tribute of earthly respect to one whom they had known and admired for his sterling qualities.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. George Walz of Central Presbyterian church. It consisted merely of a prayer, a scripture reading and a brief talk upon the life of the soldier--exemplified by this young man.

Concluding the sermon he read a brief obituary of the deceased, followed by his army record and brief tribute, as follows:

"Mr. Berka was inducted into the service of the United States army on June 26, 1918, when all the world was astir with war and rumors of war. He heard the call and was ever true to his country and home, counting not himself as worthy but giving himself as willing, and was found worthy. Made corporal March 16, 1919, of Company I 351st Infantry of the 88th Division. With his comrades in arms he left the United States on August 16, 1918, entered into the battles, engagements, skirmishes and expeditions which called for his services, and as a reward--about the only reward a man can give, he received decorations, badges, medals and citations, all of which speak for his faithfulness.

"His upward course began when he was appointed Captain of Story County Draft when the boys left Nevada to go to Camp Dodge, June 26, and served thus until May 31, 1919, was mustered out of active service.

"Having tuberculosis he sought relief and cure, which seemed to be his after he had been in a hospital at Fort Lyons, Colorado, for a while, and with him his family all lived in hope of a full recovery, which hope however was shattered when the unexpected news came that Louis had died. With this shock the family is still struggling, trying to understand. He leaves a sorrowing mother and father, four brothers and three sisters, who still love and will forever cherish his memory.

"Mr. Berka was a member of Nevada Post American Legion and of Sampson Lodge No. 77 Knights of Pythias.

"May the comfort of believing hearts come to all who mourn. The family is joined in their sorrow by many friends who offer their deepest sympathy."

A token that will be cherished by his parents and other members of the family, is the letter which he had written home, and in which he spoke hopefully of his recovery. But three days after he was laid low by disease acute myocarditis, passed on to the world beyond, for future reward for valiant deeds done white in the body.

The funeral cortege was led by two color bearers with two color guards and a firing squad, all of Nevada Post, American Legion, with Kenneth Kinsey as bugler.

Legionaires as pall bearers also marched beside the funeral car, in which the flower bedecked casket was carried.

At the grave, which is on the family lot on the west brow of the hills that edge the cemetery, the body was lowered after final words and prayer by the pastor, followed by the salute from the firing squad over into the far west, and the sounding of "taps" by the bugler.

Louis H. Berka was laid to rest with all the honors and respect due a soldier.