Dr. Ivan Berg

The Memorial Service will be live streamed and can be viewed on this webpage at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Ivan Berg, 87, West Fargo, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and children on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings, West Fargo. Ivan was born on February 26, 1934, in Fargo, ND, to Teman “Tim” and Ida (Enger) Berg. He graduated from West Fargo High School in 1952 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. He transferred to the University of Minnesota College of Agriculture to finish his pre-veterinary requirements and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1956. He went on to complete his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the U. of M. in 1960. His first professional position was at the Medford Veterinary Clinic in Medford, WI, from 1960-1964. Ivan married Janice Anderson on August 27, 1960, at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. They made their first home in Medford, WI, where two of their 3 children were born. They moved back to ND in 1964 and welcomed their third child in 1965. Dr. Berg worked at Valley Veterinary Hospital in Fargo for a year before beginning a long career at the North Dakota State University Department of Veterinary Science from 1965 until his retirement in 1997. Twenty-seven of his 31 years at NDSU were spent in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, having been certified as an Anatomic Veterinary Pathologist. During a sabbatical in 1973 at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, he earned a postgraduate diploma in Veterinary Pathology. Dr. Berg was a member of the American Veterinary Association, the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and was the Secretary/Treasurer for the ND Veterinary Medicine Association for 12 years. He was named ND Veterinarian of the Year in 1986. He also enjoyed serving as advisor to the NDSU rodeo team for a few years. Ivan was an active member of Horace Lutheran Church in Horace, ND, serving in many different capacities including council president, choir, and praise team. He was a founding member of the Horace Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones award. His hobbies included cycling, photography, reading, and enjoying all kinds of music, describing himself as a guitar “strummer.” Ivan was one of seven members of the local hit comedy musical group “Ole’s Octet,” serving as master of ceremonies, vocalist, and guitarist for their 147 performances during the 1980’s through early 90’s before the group retired after 11 years. He and Janice enjoyed several years of wintering in Arizona and traveled often to visit family and friends. A highlight among their many trips was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in Norway with their children in 2000. Ivan is survived by his wife, Janice; children Christine Berg and Linda (Steve) Azure all of Camano Island, WA, and Kari (Jim) Graber of Fargo, ND; grandchildren Claire (Duncan) Clauson, Grant Azure, Anne Marie Azure, Noel Azure, Meaghann Graber, Alec (Kayla) Graber, and Maari Graber; great grandchild Lachlan Clauson; brother Paul T. (Shirley) Berg of Fargo, ND; cousins and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings Care Center and Ethos Hospice for their kindness, care, and support for Ivan. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at Horace (N.D.) Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Horace Lutheran Church (www.horacelutheran.org), the Alzheimer’s Association of MN and ND (www.alz.org/mnnd), or Ethos Home Care and Hospice (www.ethoscare.org). Dr. Ivan's Video Tribute can be viewed below: