Odleif Berg, 99, Minot and formerly of Lignite died on Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Minot Hospital.

Odleif Chester "Ody" Berg was born on October 15, 1919 on the family farm near Lignite ND to Peder and Neline (Stromshoved) Berg (Norwegian Immigrants). He was reared on the family farm in Foothills Township of Burke County. He attended rural Foothills Elementary School, one year in Tynset Norway Elementary School, and graduated from Columbus High School in 1937. After high school, while working part time in Billings MT, he attended Billings Business College.

Odleif married Bernice Thompson from Coteau, ND on September 21, 1940 in Bowbells. They would spend the next 75 years together and would make their home in Lignite ND, Billings, MT and Minot, ND. While in Billings they owned a grocery store and after they sold it, returned to the farm in Lignite. Ody was predominately a grain and dairy farmer in Foothills Township, but also owned the Red Owl Grocery Store in Lignite as well as oil field water trucks and grain-hauling semi-trucks.

Odleif was a member of Tonset Lutheran Church (Foothills Township) and Christ Lutheran Church (Lignite). He was an active member in the Lions Club, Business Development Board and School Board all in Lignite. Ody served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in Crosby for many years.

Ody and Bernice travelled to Europe with the Crosby Kiwanis Club and to Norway and spent time in Arizona during the winter months. During his retirement years, he was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club and Moose Lodge both in Minot. He especially enjoyed playing pinochle and whist.

Ody's family includes his children – grandchildren ((great grandchildren)): Joan (Larry) Grindy, Minot – Janet and Jeff Meserve ((Kristen)), Bruce and Rebecca Grindy; Gary (Mary) Berg, Phoenix AZ – Jason and Valerie Berg ((Keaton, Drew)), Justin and Chastity Berg ((Hayden, Carson, Mackenzie)); Philip (Nancy) Berg, New London MN/Chandler AZ – Matthew Berg ((Leo)), Eric and Tina Berg ((Evan)) ; Judy (Charles – deceased) Olson, Rochester MN – Brian and Terrah Olson ((Rhiannon, Tessa, Benjamin)), Adam and Angie Olson ((Charles, Henry)). The family includes several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ody was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice (March 12, 2016), son-in-law Charles Olson; sisters Thelma Roos (Sorum), Inga Hanson, and Agnes Berg; Peder Berg (Father) and Neline Berg (Mother).

Celebration of the Life of Ody Berg will be on May 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite ND.
Interment will be in Tonset Lutheran Church Cemetery in Foothills Township (South of Lignite).
Memorials are preferred to Tonset Historical Society and Christ Lutheran Church in Lignite.

Odleif Berg Floral Photos