Eugene (Gene) Berg

Gene Berg, age 91, died May 28, 2020, in Wentzville, MO. He was born in Willmar on November 7, 1928, and graduated from Willmar High School in 1946.

Gene and his father, Clarence Berg, started a company manufacturing ice spears and chisels, naming it “Eugene Spears Mfg. Co.”. Over 8,000 spears were sold.

Gene spent a lot of time at the Willmar Airport, and at the age of 17, bought a share in Stearman Open Cockpit Bi-wing Airplane. He then enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to Guam for two years. He enrolled in the Aviation Cadet Program and was commissioned a 2nd. Lt. in 1953.

After marriage to Catherine Johnson, of Maynard in 1953, he underwent Pilot Training, and he attended Special Weapons school at Lowry Field in Denver. His overseas assignments included Toule Rossier in France, then NATO posting to RAF Laarbruck, Germany. He then retired at Griffis AFB in New York in 1968 with the rank of Major.

He returned to Willmar in 1969 where he was involved in a Golf Cart Mfg. Co. for two years. He then moved to Duluth where he established Minnesota Aircraft Sales, selling and brokering aircraft nationally and internationally. In 1980 he sold his company and moved to Colorado Springs, continuing aircraft sales from home.

Gene married Linda Kotz in 1990, and moved to Wentzville, MO. He was an active member of The Living Lord Lutheran Church, American Legion Post 323, and many Military and Pilots’ Organizations.

Gene is survived by his wife, Linda, of Wentzville, MO, former wife Catherine (Cathe) Berg, two daughters, Stacey (Robert) Zyriek, BelAir, MD, Marsha Child, Yardley, PA; son, Brett (Mary) Berg, Schertz, TX, 5 granddaughters, sister Betty Johnson Boersma, Willmar, brother, Ralph (Gervaise) Berg of Alexandria.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Berg, and mother, Ethel Berg.

These was a private ceremony in Wentzville, and Gene will be buried in Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.