John C. Berge
May 14, 1929 — November 7, 2015
John C. Berge, 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Family will greet friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, with an additional visitation at 9:30 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church, 1430 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015, at the church with a luncheon to follow. Burial at 1:30 p.m. with Military rites by VFW #76 at Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his children, Charley (Ruth) Phillips of Colona, Illinois, Vera Stein of Bettendorf, Iowa, Carole Schmidt and fiancé Dave Stickley Sr., Patty (Rich) Magoon and Cathy (Robert) Monroe, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and John Carl Berge and fiancée Bridget Casey of Tennessee; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and aunt, Helen Borseth of Decorah, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay in 2005; parents; grandparents; grandchildren, Junae and Cody Sander; great-grandson, Zach Phillips; and his dog, Peaches.
John was born on May 14, 1929, in Decorah, Iowa, son of John and Clara (Nesset) Berge, and was raised by Carl and Annie Nesset. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. In 1948, he entered the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War as a legal clerk. In 1951, he returned to Decorah after the war. John moved to Cedar Rapids where he married Beverly Miskimen in 1953, they later divorced. He went to work for Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric, where he was in the gas explosion of 1959. After a long career with them he retired. In 1967, he married Kathryn “Kay” Cole. John owned Two Star Detective Agency from 1979 until the flood of 2008, which closed the doors of a life-long career. He was the President and Mayor of the Czech Village Association, a member of the Eagles Club, Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Club, the President and Secretary of Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association, Secretary of the Home Builder Association, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Home Builders Association, life-time member of VFW, American Legion, AMVET and NRA. He was also a member of the Veterans Public Safety Unit where he was the Commander and Chaplain for 25 years. John enjoyed salmon fishing and car shows. John was an avid Hawkeye fan. He loved to dance, listen to polka music. But his greatest love was his family.
He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church for 62 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. James United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his children, Charley (Ruth) Phillips of Colona, Illinois, Vera Stein of Bettendorf, Iowa, Carole Schmidt and fiancé Dave Stickley Sr., Patty (Rich) Magoon and Cathy (Robert) Monroe, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and John Carl Berge and fiancée Bridget Casey of Tennessee; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and aunt, Helen Borseth of Decorah, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay in 2005; parents; grandparents; grandchildren, Junae and Cody Sander; great-grandson, Zach Phillips; and his dog, Peaches.
John was born on May 14, 1929, in Decorah, Iowa, son of John and Clara (Nesset) Berge, and was raised by Carl and Annie Nesset. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1947. In 1948, he entered the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War as a legal clerk. In 1951, he returned to Decorah after the war. John moved to Cedar Rapids where he married Beverly Miskimen in 1953, they later divorced. He went to work for Iowa Illinois Gas and Electric, where he was in the gas explosion of 1959. After a long career with them he retired. In 1967, he married Kathryn “Kay” Cole. John owned Two Star Detective Agency from 1979 until the flood of 2008, which closed the doors of a life-long career. He was the President and Mayor of the Czech Village Association, a member of the Eagles Club, Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Club, the President and Secretary of Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association, Secretary of the Home Builder Association, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Home Builders Association, life-time member of VFW, American Legion, AMVET and NRA. He was also a member of the Veterans Public Safety Unit where he was the Commander and Chaplain for 25 years. John enjoyed salmon fishing and car shows. John was an avid Hawkeye fan. He loved to dance, listen to polka music. But his greatest love was his family.
He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church for 62 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. James United Methodist Church.
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