Services for Larry Douglas Berg
Thu, 04/17/2025 - 8:20am
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The family of Larry D. Berg is saddened to announce his passing on Friday April 11, 2025 at the age of 79 years at the Hennepin County Medical Center om Minneapolis. In his hospital room our family felt God's gentle and tender presence in preparing Larry for his journey to Heaven.
Larry Douglas Berg was born at Bagley, MN on September 23, 1945 to parents Lois (Clemenson) and Clifford Berg. He shared the same birthday as son Sam and sister-in-law Arlene Vadnais. He was baptized and confirmed at United Lutheran/Samhold Lutheran church in Gonvick, MN. On July 22, 2020 he was baptized anew at Lake Johanna in Arden Hills, MN.
Larry graduated from Gonvick High School in 1963. He loved playing football under coaches Tom Gleason and Ed Mostrom. He and his twin brothers gained statewide notoriety as a force to be reckoned with because of their combined size and ability.
Larry honored his country serving in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967. He served the last year in Vietnam with the 69th Signal Battalion being honorably discharged at the rank of SPC E4. His uncle Jim Clemenson bought his first membership to the Gonvick American Legion Post 304, and Larry maintained membership for 57 years.
On June 6, 1970 Larry wed Pamela Kamrud, the love of his life, at Samhold Lutheran Church. They lived in Coon Rapids, MN for most of their years together, except for six years in So. California, and then returning home to Clearbrook/Gonvick in 2019.
Larry and Pam were blessed with two children; Molly Kristine born May 19, 1979 and Samuel Henri born September 23, 1982. They were Larry's world. He was a devoted and engaged Father filling their lives with love, joy, fun adventures, while leading them on a Christian path. Proud as can be, Larry never missed a single event that Molly and Sam were involved in. To become a Papa to two grandsons and one granddaughter fulfilled his life completely.
Larry's work career began at a young age spending Summers in Iowa doing road construction. Before and after the military he did land surveying, which lead him to drafting for the Engineering Dept. at the City of Columbia Height, MN. But the majority of years he worked in the field of plumbing for Olson Plumbing and Micklelson Plumbing in the cities. Vern Olson and his family became more than an employer embracing Larry and his family into their lives. If there was one man Larry truly loved and respected it was Vern.
Never was Larry happier than in social settings with family and friends, even strangers. Or than supporting and cheering on his children's activities, as well as those of his nieces and nephews. Or than being immersed in music of every kind at home, church, concerts, or musical theatre. His favorite was karaoke sessions with dear friends the Bradleys or with Molly, Sam, and Josh. He enjoyed high school sports and the Vikings. Simple things brought him peace, like observing birds with morning coffee or lively chatter around a wood fire.
Larry took pride in a pristine lawn, and after mowing ours would mow for several neighbors as a kind gesture. He always became the neighborhood go to guy for household issues gladly helping a hand. For Christmas, Larry sculpted ice luminaries to decorate our house and made thirty of them for the entrance to our daughter's wedding. Being pug dog lovers, they all gravitated to Larry. Anytime he would sit in a recliner there would be two on his lap and one on his neck. Oh, and don't forget his thing about classic muscle cars, which he was fortunate to own a couple of Chevelles in his lifetime.
During Larry's hospitalization, Sam's high school football Steve Guider reached out and facilitated presenting a Quilt of Valor to Larry, beautifully made by the Twin City Stitchers of Plymouth, which covered him until the last.
Larry is survived by his wife Pam, daughter Molly (Joshua) Buffham, son Samuel (Samantha) Berg, grandsons Magnus and Henrik Douglas Buffham, granddaughter Cali Jo Berg, brother Clayton (Kathy) Berg, sister Gloria (Becki) Berg, sisters-in-law Carolyn Snobeck, Helene Grone, and Linda (Scott) Rousseau, numerous nieces and nephews, and Aunt Darlene Sawyer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Leola and Art Branden, brother Clyde Berg and wife Sheryl, sisters-in-law Arlene Vadnais and husband Robert, Pat Graftaas and husband Stan, brothers-in-law Blaine Grone and Jerry Snobeck, nephews Patrick George, Steve and Stewart Taflin, and great nephew Brooks Greenlee.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday May 3 at 4pm at the Samhold Lutheran Church in Gonvick, MN. Family and friends are welcome to attend to remember Larry's life. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will be used to provide a monetary donation to the Samhold Lutheran Church, Clearwater Life Center, and Gonvick American Legion Post 304.