Rev. Mr. William J. Berger

SIOUX CITY | Rev. Mr. William J. "Bill" Berger, 90, of Sioux City died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at a Sioux City hospital. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City. Entombment will be in the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be 3:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family present 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., all at the church. Rosaries will be recited by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas at 4 p.m., and by the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus at 6:30 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Following the vigil service, there will be a chalice service by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, who will also provide an honor guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Bill was born in 1924 in Emmetsburg, IA. He was the 2nd of 7 children born to Carl and Mary Florence Berger. Like his 3 brothers and 3 sisters, Bill attended St. Mary's Grade and High School, graduating in May, 1942. Soon thereafter, Bill joined the Armed Service, enlisting in the US Army Signal Corps. He also served as a member of the 8th Air Force and trained on B-17 and B-24 bombers. Following an honorable discharged in 1946 Bill attended Loras College and St. Paul Seminary. After college Bill married his sweetheart and loving spouse Arlene, on June 13th, 1953. This wedding date started a life-long positive association with the number 13. Their union was blessed with 5 children, all of whom graduated from Blessed Sacrament grade school and the Bishop Heelan High School. Bill began his work career in 1950, joining the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1955 he shifted to the church-goods business and managed the Cosgrave Church Supply Co. in Sioux City. In 1968 Bill returned to the insurance field, joining the Wooldridge Insurance Agency where he remained until his retirement in 1992. During those years Bill never lost his dedication to the Catholic Faith. As a member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Bill volunteered in many capacities including teaching CCD, singing in the choir, and at weddings and funerals. In 1975, Bill began a course of study for the Permanent Deaconate. Bill and friend, John Heffernan were the first Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Sioux City, ordained in December 1977. During his ministerial service Deacon Bill was assigned to 3 parishes: Blessed Sacrament, Cathedral of the Epiphany and St. Michael's. As a Deacon, Bill baptized 17 of their 20 grandchildren and witnessed the marriages of 3 of their 5 children. Bill also started the first program in the diocese for divorced and separated members of the faith. He served for 7 years on the city's Human Rights Commission and worked as a full-time chaplain and volunteered for years in hospice services. Bill was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and an officer in Siouxland's Morality in Media organization. In 1992, Bill was named to the Woodbury County Volunteer Hall of Fame by Gov. Terry Branstad. In his spare time Bill enjoyed gardening, singing, writing poetry and spending time with his ever expanding family. During his life Bill defied the odds (and a few skeptics) by surviving 4 open-heart procedures to reach the age of 90 before passing to his eternal reward on Friday, February 13th. He is survived by his dedicated spouse of 61 years, Arlene, their 5 children, 20 grandchildren, 1 step granddaughter and 17 great grandchildren. The children are: Anne & Steve Berigan (OH) and children Brian, Brad, Meghan, Brent, Maureen, and Brendan; Dave & Paulette Berger (IA) and children Kathrine, Theresa and Kristen; Daniel Leo & Cris Berger (SD) and children John, Annie, Greg, Patrick, Nicholas and Nathan; Mary & Mark LaFalce (WA) and children Daniel and Zachary; Mike & Tisha Berger (IA) and children Amanda, Angela and Amy and step-daughter Katelynn. Bill is also survived by 5 siblings: Ruth Schuller (IA), Bob Berger (CA), Jack Berger (IA), Carol Pascuzzi (KS), and Joe Berger (SC). He is predeceased by his sister, Jeanne Marie Bywater. Memorials to: Bishop Heelan Catholic High School and St. Michael Parish, Sioux City.