Walter David Berg (Walt), 93, went to his eternal heavenly home with Jesus on Friday, January 19, 2024. Walt was born May 4, 1930, in the family farmhouse in Turner County, Marion, South Dakota, to Henry H. and Susanna Berg. At the age of 24, he asked Christ into his life as his personal Savior and Lord. Shortly thereafter he was called from the furrow of the family farm to the ministry of the Gospel. He was baptized the following May and began his education in preparation for the ministry by attending Freeman Junior College (1954-56), Grace Bible Institute (1956-58), eventually UMD for a Bachelor's Degree in History and Philosophy (1966-69) and culminating with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1974 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, IL.

Walt married Esther Alice Ortmann on August 17, 1956, in Marion, SD. With Esther at his side, Walt pastored Floodwood Bible Chapel (1960-64), Cromwell United Methodist (1962-70), Barnum United Methodist (1964-68), Moose Lake Evangelical Covenant (1967-70), Fox lake United Church of Christ, 1970-74, back to Moose Lake Covenant (1974-88), Hill City United Methodist (1988-93), Big Lake Evangelical Covenant (1993-2000), and Kerrick Community Church (2002-2008). They served together in ministry for 50 years until Esther died in October 2006.

Following Esther's death, Walt attended a high school class reunion in Marion, SD, which led to a renewed relationship with a high school sweetheart, Loretta (Ratzlaff) Harris, whose spouse had also died. Walt and Loretta were married on December 6, 2008, and Walt moved to Loretta's home in Oklahoma City, OK.

Walt is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Esther 2 brothers (Marvin and Jack) and 2 sisters (Adeline and Alvina).

He is survived by his 2nd wife, Loretta, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Children: Cynthia (Kevin) Claus of Hermantown, MN, Craig (Denise) Berg of Moose Lake, MN, Dean Berg of Bettendorf, IA, and Dianne (Suzy) Berg Messerole of Minneapolis, MN.

Grandchildren: Lindsey (Andrew) Beier, Levi (Andie) Bordes, Paige, Peri, and Eve Berg, Solvei Berg-Messerole.

Great Grandchildren: Caden and Corban Peterson, Crosby Beier, Margaux and Rory Bordes.

Step Children: Kyle (Dawn) Claus, Debbie (David) Starr, Bill (DeAnna) Harris.

Step Grandchildren: Alex Kvasnicka, Chris (Nicky) Novy, Lily Claus, Madeline and Jacob (Breanna Aaron) Harris with daughter AnnaVae (Harris), Noah, Josh (Carys), and Isaiah Starr

Walt's life verse was Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Walt's day of Jesus Christ has begun. As it says in Philippians 1:21 "For me to live in Christ and to die is gain." This was Walt's philosophy of life. His grave marker is inscribed with II Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." The grave marker summarizes the verse: "Life's work well done, Life's race well run, Life's victory won."