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- [S927] Obituary.
Claydeen "Clay" E. Berger, 82, Williston, formerly of Circle, Mont., passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2010, at the Mercy Medical Center, Williston.
His Mass of Christian burial is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Williston. The Rev. Dennis Schafer is officiating. Interment is to follow in the Riverview Cemetery.
An evening Vigil with a Rosary is 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Everson Memorial Chapel.
Claydeen Eugene Berger was born Oct. 6, 1927, in Richardton to Dominick and Mary (Roshau) Berger. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Richardton and graduated with the class of 1946 from Wibaux County High School in Wibaux. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Okinawa before being honorably discharged. Clay began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1951.
He worked as telegrapher and station agent at many locations along the NP line during his 37 year career, including Richardton, Terry, Hysham, Forsyth, Wibaux, Beach, Carlyle, Circle, Plentywood and Medicine Lake.
He married Irene Bruski in 1951 and they had seven children: Michael (Betty) Berger, San Diego; Mary Kay (Bradley) Kountz, Brockway, Mont.; Clayton (Sherry) Berger, Glasgow, Mont.; Deanna Bockness (Tim Rittal), Terry, Mont.; Patti (Mark) Soares, Belgrade, Mont.; Gregory Berger (Noreen Martinez), Virginia Beach, Va.; and Therese (Mark) Iwaniak, Glendive.
Claydeen married Minnie H. Bertelsen in June 1980 and welcomed two sons, Terry Bertelsen (and soulmate Darlene Walters) and Monte (Marilyn) Bertelsen, with whom he had many fishing adventures. They settled in Williston to enjoy retirement and traveled extensively with their camper.
Clay made many friends and was an active member in all of the communities in which he worked and lived. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, and VFW.
He taught square dancing and did personal appearances as Santa Claus for many years in Circle. Grandchildren and children sometimes thought Santa seemed a bit familiar.
Clay enjoyed fishing, wood-working, and compiling family genealogy.
Mr. Berger was preceded in death by his parents, Dominick and Mary Berger; step-father, William Bruski; step-brothers, John Bruski, Jerome Bruski, and Luke Bruski, and sister Lenora Muggli and step-son Terry Bertelsen.
Survivors are brothers, Victor (Velma) Bruski, Donald (Joan) Berger, and Merv (Irene) Berger, and sisters Florence Miske, Eleanor Michels, and Diane (Tom) Schmidt. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit www.eversonfh.com" target="_blank">http://www.eversonfh.com">www.eversonfh.com to share remembrances of Clay.
Friends may also visit until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Everson Funeral Home, Williston and at the church on Wednesday for the hour preceding the funeral.
The Everson Funeral Home, Williston is caring for the family.
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1927 - 2010 (82 years)