Fred Berge, 77, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Atlantic Specialty Care.
Frederick Allen was born at home north of Atlantic, Iowa on January 1, 1948, the son of Frank George and Dessie Pearl (Harter) Berge. He missed on all the “extras” for being the first baby born in the new year by 15 minutes. His sister Carol always and still does call him Fritz and he called her Kiki when he was a child since he couldn’t say Carol. A standing joke in the family was that older sibling Dennis always got out of household chores because mom’s excuse was that he was out working for farmers. He attended school in Lewis and Griswold. Fred enjoyed playing baseball, roller-skating, and cruising as a kid and teenager; often times a bit of a mischievous.
On May 15, 1991, he was united in marriage to Jane Alice (Newlon) Pangburn in Atlantic, Iowa. When he married Jane he gained three step-daughters, Kandy, Donna and Tina.
Fred worked as a farm hand in addition to Henningsen’s, Bodine’s, Oakland Foods, and retired while working for SWITA. In retirement he looked forward to driving around Atlantic and talking to those he met along the way. Fred was very frugal and often commented gruffly how everything including gas was a bit pricier now a days.
He was a member of a bowling league and looked forward to time outdoors fishing, hunting and peaceful time on his porch. He always appreciated conversations with his neighbors and also their willingness to help him with anything he needed. Oh, was he a jokester and it was rare you got anything by him; he had a quick wit. This personality trait was comparable to Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable Guy. His favorite meal was a burger and fries from McDonald’s. Fred watched a lot of TV and if football was on it was your best bet, he was watching, GO CHIEFS!
Fred is survived by step-children, Tina and Donna; sister, Carol (Kim Thompson) Wright; step-sisters, Michelle Hadley; step-brother, Raymond Hansen, Jr.; sister-in-law, Linda Berge; brother-in-law, Charles Namanny; sister-in-law, Linda South; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family.
He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Berge; mother and step-father, Dessie (Raymond) Hansen; wife, Jane Berge; step-daughter, Kandy; brothers, Dennis Berge and Charles South; sister, Janice Namanny; nephews, Brian Wright, Terry Woolsey and Chad Thompson; and great-nephews, Brent Woolsey and Scott Woolsey.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 21st at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic followed by a visitation and luncheon until 4:00 p.m. Burial for Fred and Jane’s ashes will be held in the spring at the Atlantic Cemetery.
A special thanks to Jill Miller, Linda Berge, Steve & Roxanne Woolsey, and Pastor Kyle McBee for their acts of kindness.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Fred’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
