Ordean Gilman Berg

Ordean Gilman Berg, 90, was born on January 18, 1936 at home near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, to Odin and Gilma (Dunham) Berg. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. He attended country school at District 288 in Erhards Grove Township and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1954. He was a member of the Erhard Frisky Farmers 4-H Club. He worked on the family farm south of Pelican Rapids until he enlisted in the Army in 1958. He trained and served in Georgia, Fort Carson, Colorado, and also at Thule Air Base in Greenland. While in Greenland, he was part of a crew that transported supplies from the coast inland across the snow and ice for a fascinating project called Project Iceworm, which was unknown to him at the time due to the high level of secrecy surrounding its construction.

After being discharged from the military, Ordean returned to the family farm, where they had a dairy herd and raised small grains and corn. He retired from the ConAgra Flour Mill in Fergus Falls after working there for almost 30 years. After that, he continued to raise small grains and corn and frequently helped his neighbors on their farms. Ordean loved being part of the community. He frequently had meals and volunteered at the Pelican Rapids Senior Center and stayed afterwards to play cards. Ordean was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. He volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors in and around Pelican Rapids for several years, served on the board of Pelican Valley Cemetery, and was a member of the local American Legion chapter.

In 2023, Ordean moved to Riverview Manor in Pelican Rapids. It became his new home, and he appreciated the friendship of his fellow residents and the care of the wonderful staff there. He loved traveling around town on his mobility scooter, making many visits to local businesses and friends. He expressed deep appreciation that the VA had enabled him to get the scooter.

Throughout his life, Ordean loved time with family – his sisters and brother and their spouses, cousins, nieces and nephews, and great-nephews. He loved to socialize with friends and neighbors and play cards. According to one of his frequent opponents in a card game he learned within the last 10 years, Ordean was also a frequent winner at cards. He enjoyed hunting and fishing – perhaps more for the fellowship with family than for any other reason. Ordean also enjoyed holidays with family and going to Dave and Dolly’s cabin. He never lost his curiosity about the world or his interest in being part of it.

After a day of visiting with family, Ordean passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Odin and Gilma (Dunham) Berg, his brother and sister-in-law Arland and Ruth Berg, and his sister and brother-in-law Helen and Don Pederson. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Darlene/Dolly and David Johnson, nieces Cindy (Brad) Gray, Tracy (Dave) Walling, Pam (Scott Inlow) Johnson, and nephews Kevin (Ruth) Pederson, and Brian (Trisha) Pederson, seven great-nephews Beau (Kayla) Gray, Andrew (Aly) Gray, Thomas (Sadie) Pederson, Matthew (Kelsey) Pederson, Michael (Nicole) Pederson, USMC Capt. Jacob Pederson, Christopher Pederson, and nine great-great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Pelican Rapids Meals on Wheels, Trinity Lutheran Church, Morning Watch or Pelican Valley Senior Living.

Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, MN. Burial will be at Pelican Valley Cemetery,  Pelican Rapids,  MN.

Click on this link to watch the livestream of Ordean's Funeral service.  https://www.youtube.com/live/eFw5bzQkJp0?is=x1pASEE1Qb4RVK7h

Please keep Ordean's family in your thoughts and prayers.