Larry Berger

LARRY EDWARD BERGER was born on September 2, 1944 to Floyd Henry and Eleanor Rose (Grenz) Berger in Tyler, Minnesota. Larry grew up on the family farm southeast of Lake Benton, Minnesota and continued to live there until 2006. He attended country school from the first until the sixth grade. He then continued his education in Lake Benton, graduating from there in 1962. Following his education, Larry became a member of the Army National Guard in 1965. On June 30, 1967, Larry married Marlis Folkerts at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. The young couple lived on the family farm, farming full time and raising their six children. In 1979, Larry became a district manager for Archer Petroleum until 1993. Larry continued to work various jobs in the area, including driving tractor and tree trimming for Roggenbuck Tree Service until 2017. Larry officially retired in 2006, and the couple moved into Lake Benton. On January 21, 2020 Larry moved to the Pipestone County Hospice House and remained there until his passing on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the age of 75 years, four months, and 21 days.

Larry was baptized on September 24, 1944 and then confirmed on October 25, 1959 in the English Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, serving on the church council. Larry was a member of the Henry Sollie Post #10 American Legion, and served as a member of the firing squad for over 30 years. While in the Army National Guard, he also earned the distinction of Marksman. In his younger years, Larry loved coaching softball and bowling. Larry had a great love of fishing and playing cards with his family and friends. He especially loved attending the activities of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and loved welcoming his two newest great-grandsons.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marlis; his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: daughter, Theresa (the late Louie) Eberhardt, Darci, Kristi, James; son, Michael (Brenda) Berger, Kayla (Andrew) McLain, Alexander, Cory (Laura) Berger, Dylan and Layla, Kelli (Joshua) Choudek, Clayton; daughter, Brenda (Steve) Tecken; son, Todd Berger, Maggie Rietz, Keaton and Amber, David, William, Jacqueline, Isaiah, Andrew; son, Terry (Janel) Berger, Christopher, Jenna; and daughter, Marsha (Joe) Mendro, Autumn, Skylar, and Alex; his siblings, Jan (Sharp) Todd, Ron (Anna) Berger, Bev (Duane) Egbers; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Eleanor; his brother, Richard; son-in-law, Louie Eberhardt; and his in-laws, Alfred and Rena Folkerts.