Arnold (Chunky) Curtiss Berg

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 2:07 pm

Arnold (Chunky) Curtiss Berg passed away peacefully in his sleep June 5, 2016, at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, surrounded by loving family and friends. The memorial service is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 14, at Bethania Church in Decorah, with Rev. Richard Simon Hanson officiating. Military rites are by Decorah area vets. Interment is at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Arnold was born in Decorah Aug. 9, 1932, to Mildred (Morris) Berg and Arnold Bradford Berg. Arnold was a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County. He attended Decorah High School until he entered the U.S. Army. He served his time in London, England during the Korean War. Arnold worked for the City of Decorah Street Department and Luther College maintenance department before becoming self-employed. For a time he was the owner of Phillips 66 gas station then started a painting business. He also later worked for Brennan Construction, repairing bridges in Winneshiek County. A constant side job was his lifelong passion of buying, selling and trading. He was an avid fisherman, loved driving the roads of Winneshiek County and marveled at the simple beauty of the Oneota Valley.

Arnold married Naomi Joyce Foss in Oct. 1955; they had five daughters: Jo Iverson, Sherry Berg and Tammy Berg, all of Decorah; Cathy Boeker, Mercer Island, Wash., Cindy Berg, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico  and one son, Steven Arnold Berg. They later divorced. Arnold then married Beverly (Emery) Berg; together they had one daughter, Barbara Berg of Lady’s Island, S.C. They later divorced. Arnold is also survived by his step-daughters Valerie Tindall, Lanesboro, Minn., Pamela Sanderson, Decorah, Bobbie Gunderson, Postville; one brother, Alvin Berg of Vancouver, Wash.; one sister, Jerrine Jacobsen of Decorah; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Robert Berg, David Berg, Betty Deck and Bernie Coonradt; and his first wife, Naomi; and his only son, Steven Arnold Berg.