Lawrence Austin Berg

Lawrence Austin Berg, 82, of Grand Forks, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2014, at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Lawrence was born October 28, 1931, the son of Harry and Pearl (Smith) Berg in rural Towner County, ND. He attended school in York, ND. He was fond of saying that he left school in the eighth grade because he was old enough to date the teacher. A hard-working farm hand and construction worker, Lawrence served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean War. A short while after returning to the family farm near Leeds, he met his future wife and life partner at the York Café. Lawrence married Deanna Smith June 12, 1958. Together they had 4 children, all of whom inherited their dad's lead foot: Susan, Curtis, John and Larry. For almost 30 years, Lawrence worked as a truck driver and maintenance mechanic for mobile homes, primarily for Gilman Eide. He was known to be a man who could fix almost anything. For the last 10 years of his work life, he was a night custodian for the University of North Dakota. In retirement, he finally found time to relax and tinker. Mostly a private man, Lawrence enjoyed the company of his family and friends. He was generous with his time, and always willing to help. A longtime volunteer at Augustana Lutheran Church, Lawrence also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, family gatherings, youth and college sports events, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And he especially enjoyed a big bowl of ice cream. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Deanna; children, Susan, Curtis (Laura), John (April) and Larry (Lisa); brothers, Palmer (Linda), Sanford (Sandy), Wayne and Ralph (Linda); sisters, Phyllis (Larry) Schneider, Karen (Jerry) Skjonsby and Esther (Wendell) Sorlien; sister-in-law Penni Berg; brother-in-law Leonard Ramsfield; grandchildren, Kyle, Corey, Chyloe, Matthew, Gabriel, Dustin and Brandon, and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Abigail and Summer. He also is survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene (Marcel) Beauchamp and Annabelle Ramsfield; brothers, Dean and Orville; nephew Jim Ramsfield, and a much-loved little white dog named Ginger. FUNERAL SERVICES: Thursday, September 4, at 2:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, 520 University Ave., Grand Forks. VISITATION: Wednesday, September 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue the hour prior to the service at the church. INTERMENT: Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks.