March 29, 2024

Donald A. 'Joe' Berger

Donald A. “Joe” Berger, 84, formerly of Newton, died on Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown.  A funeral service was held Wednesday at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Joe’s name may be left at the funeral home.

Joe, the son of George and Edith (Stevenson) Berger, was born on March 27, 1929, in Garrison. He grew up in Vinton before moving to Jasper County in the late 1940s. Shortly after moving to the area, he met and wed Juanita Lois Cox. He began working at the Maytag Company in 1951, and then was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When he returned, he finished his 30 year career at Maytag, retiring in September of 1981. Throughout his life he also worked as a farm hand at many farms in the area.

Joe was a member of the UAW Local 997. He was a saddle bronc champion at the age of 16 and rode bulls and horses in the rodeo. Joe also was an avid outdoorsman and owned many exotic animals.

Those left to honor Joe’s memory are his children, Terry (Sally) Berger of Newton, Tim Berger of Newton, Teresa Fields of Newton, and Tony (Becky) Berger of Baxter; grandchildren, Casey, Damon, Jennifer, Jamie, Patrice, Holly, Joe, Lacey, Chelise, Amanda, Brent, Joshua, Jacob, Mike, and Lorriane; his 20 great-grandchildren; brothers, Tom (Janet) Berger of Newhall and Dick (Lola) Berger of Garrison; and his many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois in 1995; and siblings, Helen, Harvey, Fred, David, Dean, and Claire.