Iona Mae Wirtjes Berg
Iona Mae (Wirtjes) Berg, 93, passed away at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Forest City, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. A celebration of Iona’s beautiful life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m., at Community Chapel, Lakota, with visitation an hour before. Her burial will be at Riverview Cemetery, Elmore, Minn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Foundtion of America. Schott Funeral Homes, Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, is in charge of arrangements.
Iona was born May 15, 1927 in Buffalo Center Hospital, Buffalo Center, the second child of Herman and Sena Wirtjes. She and her four siblings—Art, Alvin, Irvin and Violet—were the tightest of friends from childhood throughout adulthood. Iona married Milford Berg on Jan. 6, 1946 at The Little Brown Church, Nashua.
Iona truly loved the Lord Our God and enjoyed worshiping Him in many ways. She enjoyed playing the piano, singing (even whistling), gardening, baking, Farmers Market, helping those in need, but most of all, being with her family and friends. She would sit and watch her grandchildren play, filling her with smiles, giggles and joy.
She is survived by her children: daughter, Judy Berg-Bartleson (James), Yukon, Okla., and their children, Kyle Bartleson (wife, Cindy, and daughter, Haley), Redondo Beach, Calif., and Kimberly Bartleson-Walker (husband, Scott, son, Blake, and daughter, Bailey) Springtown, Texas; son, Derald Berg (Ruth), Albert Lea, Minn., and their children: Nathan Berg (wife, Shaina, and children, Westin and Madeline), Eden Prairie, Minn.; Lydia Berg-Sorenson (husband, Dak, and children, Jett, Winn, and Bekk), Albert Lea, Minn., Abby Berg-Murray (husband, Jon, and children, Ayva, Sienna, and Charlie) Albert Lea, Minn.; Priscilla Berg-Arjes (husband, Eric, and foster children, Miles and Wilder) Nashville, Tenn.; Thomas Berg, Albert Lea, Minn.; and daughter, Joyce Berg-Foust, Forest City.
Iona is preceded in death by her husband, Milford Berg; parents, Herman and Sena Wirtjes; and siblings: Art Wirtjes (Doretta), Irvin Wirtjes (Sue), and Violet LeMaster (Verlin); and son-in-law, Jerry Foust.
