Edwin Berger

Edwin Casper Berger, one of three children of Frederick William and Emma Marie (Schnittker) Berger, was born May 28, 1919 at the family home northeast of Auburn, Nebraska. Ed was baptized September 30, 1919 at Bethel Evangelical Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He attended Forest Grove School through the 8th grade, and graduated from Auburn High School in 1936.

Following high school, Ed farmed until he began active duty in the United States Navy on April 30, 1942. As a part of his service, Ed was stationed in Washington, D.C. working on the manual for the Norden Bomb Sight, which at the time was a top secret program. He then served as an instructor for the bomb sight in Florida. Ed received his honorable discharge from the Navy on October 1, 1945, and returned to Nemaha County, Nebraska to farm.

Also during his service to the country, Edwin was united in marriage to Alberta June Hector on October 30, 1942 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. Alberta followed Ed to his station assignments in the Navy. The couple was blessed with seven children.

Edwin was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and was very active in its affairs. He had served as President of the Nebraska Luther League in his youth, and later served on the church council, as Sunday School Superintendent, on the Pastoral Search Committee, and chaired the campaign to finance the new church. He also served as Synod Treasurer for Lutheran Campus Ministries.

Ed served on the Forest Grove Board of Education, and held many offices in American Legion Post #23 of Auburn, including Commander.

Ed?s health was beginning to fail, and he recently endured various hospital stays. He passed away at the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the age of 87 years, 8 months, and 24 days. He was preceded in death by his wife Alberta, his parents, brother Arthur, and sister Marie Richardson.

Edwin is survived by his children Catherine Berger of Beatrice; Linda Blumenthal of Omaha; Janet and husband Tom Osborne of Auburn; Adrienne Berger of Fremont; Christine and husband Phil Allgood of Peru; Gregory and wife Kim Berger of Ralston; Paul and wife Renee Berger of Elkhorn; 12 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Nelda Berger of Auburn; Lois Hector of Omaha; aunt Darlene Harkness of Auburn; other relatives and many friends.