Roger Jerome Berger, 50
Roger Jerome Berger, 50, passed away on Friday Sept. 21, 2007, on a Mercy flight, in Daniels County. Roger was born on July 7, 1957, in Plentywood, to Paul and Dorothy Bjerke Berger. He attended schools in Missoula, Flaxville and Kalispell. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1975. When he was 14, he went to work for his father's car dealership. After graduating from high school, he worked for his father and grandfather on the family farm in Whitetail.
He was a member of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department, the Whitetail Fire Department, and the Jaycees in both Kalispell and Flaxville.
He truly enjoyed kayaking, especially with his wife Rose, fishing, flying, hockey and the Mariners games.
Roger will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his love of people of all ages, especially children. One of the highlights of his life was when he would play 'Santa' for the children of the Smith Valley community, where his wife Rose teaches first grade. He was also known for 'sneaking' the children at the Smith Valley school root beer float parties.
Roger met Rose Ivers in 2000. They had known each other in high school and had become re-acquainted. They were married on Thanksgiving Day 2001, in Las Vegas. Roger wanted to married on Thanksgiving Day, so he would never forget their anniversary. He was surprised when he learned Thanksgiving doesn't fall on the same date every year!
Rose and Roger were soul mates. They loved to fish from their kayaks, and enjoyed many special times at Van Lake. When the fishing was slow, Roger would lay back and take a nap in his kayak and Rose would crochet.
Roger enriched Rose's life and encouraged her to attempt new adventures and to live her life to the fullest. He was instrumental in re-uniting Rose with her Canadian family. They have spent many family holidays with each other and treasured their time together.
One of the most memorable trips they took together was a trip to the San Juan Islands, where they chartered a sailboat for a week. With Roger's strong emotional support, Rose was able to avoid getting 'seasick.'
Roger had endless, unconditional love for his son, Casey Colt Berger. He taught him how to hunt and fish. They enjoyed hockey games, sailing, and just 'hanging out' and cherishing their time together.
Pat Wiley was a brother to Roger. They were life-long friends, and Pat was someone Roger could always count on for anything. It didn't matter what Pat and Roger were doing, just being together was all that they needed.
Roger loved traveling and some of his fondest memories were of South Africa, Europe, Hawaii and Canada. He had a deep love for the family farm that his grandfather had homesteaded in the early 1900s. It was very important to Roger that the farm always remain in the Berger's family. He took pride in farming the land for more than 32 years.
Following notification of Roger's heart attack, Rose was driving to meet Roger, when she reached the Continental Divide, Rose suddenly felt physically ill and stopped. She later realized that Roger had passed away at that same time and their spirits met at the highest point in Montana to say, 'Good-bye for now.'
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Berger; a sister, Denise Berger; grandparents, Carl and Emily Berger, and Wyvil and Vera Bjerke; and an uncle, Bucky Bjerke.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Berger; mother-in-law, Elsie Cooper; children, Lars and Casey Berger; a sister, Nancy, and husband, Jim Skurvid; a childhood friend he considered his brother, Pat Wiley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.