Kenneth H. Berger

Kenneth H. Berger, age 80 of Marengo, died peacefully and suddenly from heart disease on Wednesday evening October 13, 2021 at Rose Haven Nursing Home, Marengo. Private Graveside Services will be held at the Marengo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be sent to the family in care of Kloster Funeral Home, 298 W Washington St., Marengo, IA 52301.

He is lovingly missed by his wife Carolyn; his son Craig (Shelley) of Marengo; his daughter Carla (Michael) Clanin of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Bailey Berger (Jacob Solberg) of Olympia, WA, Gage Berger (Mirandi Miller) of Palatine, IL, Tanner Berger of Marengo, Eli Berger of Cedar Rapids; and Emma, Oliver, and River Clanin of Cedar Rapids; along with his sister Virginia Harris of Batavia, IL.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Dean Berger.

Kenneth Herman Berger was born December 5, 1940 in Amana, Iowa, the son of Fred Christian Berger and Edna Hegewald Berger. He received his education in the local schools and graduated from the Amana High School in 1958. While in high school, Ken owned and operated Kenney’s Service Backhoe Company. Following graduation, he attended the Kansas City Auto Collision Repair program and worked for AG Koehn Pontiac Garage. On May 17, 1964, Kenneth and Carolyn Stake were united in marriage at the First Presbyterian Church in Marengo. In 1966 Ken established the Marengo Body Shop, locating at the present building occupied by the shop. He retired from the business in 1994. He and Carolyn started farming in 1982 east of Marengo, continuing until 2011. The couple helped build and manage the Crest Motel in Williamsburg, affiliated with it from 1966-2000.

Ken loved to travel and camp with his family, especially the grandchildren. The couple wintered in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, where Ken was a member of several woodworking clubs. He became quite good as a carver and instructor, taking master classes in the Midwest, Canada and Austria.