Obituary of Norman Berg

Norman was born in Mannville on January 9, 1930. He was the youngest of seven children born to Gus and Bessie Berg. He went to Pathfinder School and completed High School in Myrnam. Norm left home when he was 19 to pursue a career in the oil field. He worked thirteen years for Regent Drilling where he "roughnecked and toolpushed" his way across western Canada. On July 15, 1952 Norman married Julia Ryan "a local girl from just down the road". Norman and Julia raised five children: Jim, Diane, Bryan, Lorne and Kevin. Norman and Julia gained great pleasure in watching the family grow which now includes 11 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. In 1961 Norman purchased a half section of land northeast of Bawlf where he and the family began farming. To help pay the bills, Norman attended Auctioneer School and began auctioneering in several Auction Marts in the area. He eventually started Berg's Auction Service and continued auctioneering throughout his life. He greatly enjoyed the people he met at his sales and always had a story to coax out that last bid. Norman and Julia retired from farming in 1999 and moved to Camrose. He enjoyed travelling with Julia, visiting with family and friends and was continually organizing "just one more last auction sale"! Norman was strongly involved in the Bawlf Community and was leader of the Bawlf 4-H club for ten years. He coached numerous minor and senior hockey teams in the Camrose County Hockey League and also coached minor baseball teams. Norman was a founding Director of the Ankerton Gas Co-Op and the Bawlf Recreation Association. He was also active with the Bawlf Lions, the Bawlf Legion and the Bawlf Co-Op. Norman passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the age of 82 years. He is survived by his loving wife Julia, one daughter: Diane (Lewis) Noel, four sons: Jim (Lois Jones), Bryan (Nancy), Lorne(Laura) and Kevin (Sonia), eleven grandchildren: Sarah, Scott, Jordon, Gordon, Aundrea, Pamela, Allison, Eric, Colin, Olivia, Carson, one great granddaughter: Zoey, one brother: Glen Berg, two sisters: Laura (Bob) Woods and Hazel (Dick) Pilger. Norman was predeceased by his parents, one sister Grace Frost and two brothers George and Howard. A Time of Fellowship and Refreshments was held on Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 1-3 p.m from the Bawlf Community Hall. Inurnment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to Camrose & District Hospice Society or to a charity of one's choice.