William Olai “Bill” Berge died Thursday, November 7, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah where he resided for the past 40 years.
He was born May 14, 1931, in Chinook, Montana to Olai Berge and Williamina “Mina” Laing Berge.
In 1948 Bill’s family moved to Grand Marais where his father had been transferred with the U. S. Customs.
Although Bill only spent two years at Grand Marais High School, he remained lifelong friends with classmates and returned for many reunions.
He graduated from GMHS in 1949 and attended Macalester College prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Following his service in the Navy he acquired a degree in electrical engineering at the U of Minnesota. His career with Sperry Corporation included designing computer systems for the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Mary Clare, five children: David, Pat (Bruce Parnas), Jim (Melissa Archer-Berge), Tom (Tish), and Rick (Laura); three grandchildren: Allegra Archer, Torger and Katrina Berge; and a sister, Thelma Hedstrom.
He will be fondly remembered for his love of the outdoors, hunting and hiking; his exceedingly keen mind and humor; and his ability to hold the captive attention of generations of children with his card tricks.
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