Melvin S. Berger, 78, Dickinson, died Monday, September 25, 2023 surrounded by his family at the St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Melvin’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Monday, October 2, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Deacon Ross Reiter presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Melvin Sebastian Berger was born February 13, 1945 in Dickinson, the son of Leo and Helen (Obritschkewitsch) Berger. He was raised and educated in Dickinson. He attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK for aircraft mechanic.
Melvin was united in marriage to Rita Frank on June 7, 1966 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. They farmed southeast of Dickinson until 1997 where they grew small grains and raised livestock. They were involved as a family with Farmers Market. His wife Rita died July 28, 1995.
He was united in marriage to Ardena (Mittelsteadt) Sailer on November 9, 1996 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Dickinson. They have made their home in Dickinson since. He enjoyed traveling where they visited all 50 states and also had driven twice to Alaska. They would travel south numerous winters and also traveled to Iceland and Europe.
He belonged to St. Pius Verein, Schefield. Melvin enjoyed coin collecting and his annual fishing trips to Canada with the three boys where they spent three days in the boat.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Ardena; his children, Todd (LuAnn) Berger, Dickinson, Shawn (Kim) Berger, Dickinson, Tina (Rick) Schantz, Beulah, and Justin (Liv) Berger, Warren, RI; grandchildren, Damian (Molly) Berger, Devin (Terra) Berger, Dalton Berger, Jaren Berger, Jada Berger, Abrielle Schantz, Easton Schantz, Sofia Schantz, Amalie Berger, and Clara Berger; great-grandchildren, Brecken, Penelope and Jett Berger; from his second marriage he gained two children, Mike Sailer and Laurie Ann (Rick) Looper; grandchildren, Jaye Sailer, Zachary Lorenz, Ethan Looper, and Savannah Looper; great-granddaughter, Jewel Sailer; siblings, Adeline (Lawrence) Decker, David (Charlotte) Berger, Rosalie Wosepka, and James (Linda) Berger.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rita; his parents; and brother-in-law, John Wosepka.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to CHI St. Alexius Home Health & Hospice.
