Richard Allen Berg, age 79, of Osceola, WI passed away peacefully surrounded by family Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his residence in Osceola, WI.

Richard was born on March 21, 1945, to Frank and Julia Berg, on the Berg family farm settled by Joseph Berg in 1860 whom immigrated from Germany in 1855.

Richard farmed all his life. His father got sick when he was 9 years old, so he and his mom ran the farm. When in high school, he milked the cows before and after school. He couldn’t wait until he had the chance to transfer from driving the horses to baling hay because he got paid more. He remembered the thrashing crews going from farm to farm, gathering with tons of food and everyone celebrating getting paid. Richard later went to work for Federated Co-Op’s delivering fertilizer for 4-5 years. Richard was the happiest in the tractor helping his neighbor farmers and visiting his happy place, Nu-View Acres.

Richard loved to travel. He and Charlene owned property in Montana for 16 years and traveled out there often with family and after his motorhome deliveries. One of the six homes he built was on their property there. Richard delivered motorhomes for Winnebago for 9 years and took many trips across the U.S. and Canada during that time. He traveled internationally to China to bring one of his grandchildren home, went on an Alaskan Cruise and New England cruise with Char’s parents, and a Germany Rhine River Cruise with his sister and brother-in-law to celebrate their anniversary. Canada was the destination for many hunting and fishing tips with his grandsons and the guys. For Richard’s and Char’s 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Alaska with their daughter and son-in-law. On this trip they crossed the Artic Circle, took a flight over Denali, did lots of halibut fishing, rafted the Kenai River and cruised out of Seward. There were also many trips to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado.

When Richard wasn’t farming or traveling, he enjoyed taking on other hobbies and projects such as winemaking, more recently, riding his electric bike, and running a Bed and Breakfast for 33 years with his wife. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Osceola. He was very talented at making caskets. He made his and his wife’s casket and sold at least six caskets to people who had contacted him. He was a fan of country music, particularly Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Don Williams, Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Garth Brooks.

Richard is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlene (Johnson); children, Jeanine (Greg) Sandberg, Jim (Donna), Vicki (Alec) Russell, and Rick (Elizabeth) Moore; 20 grandchildren; soon to be 3 great-grandchildren; father-in-law, Lynn Johnson; other extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Julia; son, Danny; sister, MaryAnn; mother-in-law, Monica Johnson; brothers-in-law, Dan and Dean Johnson; sister-in-law, Nancy Fritsche; and best friend, Jim Demulling.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Richard 11:00 AM Friday, August 23, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Osceola, WI. Visitation one hour prior. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Farmington, WI. Evening visitation will be the night before 4:00 PM-7:00 PM Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola, WI. Prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to ALS Association, Lakeview Hospice, or Mayo Clinic.

Last Update: Aug 18, 2024 7:56 pm CDT