Stephen "Steve" Berg

Dr. Stephen “Steve” Erik Berg, 74, of Dekalb, IL, and Lily, WI, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Azura Assisted Living Home in Wausau, Wisconsin. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pickerel, WI. He was born August 22, 1948 to the late Anton and Gunver (Mailand) Berg in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Ela Vernon (now Aldai Stevenson) High School in 1966. Sgt. Steve was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served from 1968-1970 in the 1st Air Cavalry, earning a Bronze Star Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, College of Lake County, and Northern Illinois University where he earned his PhD in Public Administration. He continued to cultivate and share his knowledge as a Professor at NIU for many years.

Steve was a proud NRA member, a HAM radio enthusiast, and loved spending time on the road on his Harley. He was known as an excellent writer, storyteller, and intellectual- and will be especially remembered for his puns and independent sense of humor. He believed in, and exemplified, personal responsibility and care for people in his community. You could really count on Steve. He was a mentor for many students at NIU over the years as well as a Merit Badge Counselor for DeKalb area Scouts. He especially enjoyed his time volunteering as a Shooting Sports Counselor at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in Pearson, WI.

He was able to appreciate and respect people- even those he disagreed with- and was not afraid to defend what he believed in. He also gave great hugs.

Survivors include his cousins, Keith (Susan) Berg of Boone, IA, and Ed (Kathy) Berg of Orient, IA; friend, John Lillstrom of Deerbrook, WI; and several other relatives and friends.

In accordance with Steve’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden, Iowa, with Reverend Robert M. Lindberg officiating. Inurnment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden, Iowa with Graveside Military Rites conducted by the Boone Veterans Council.

A celebration of Steve’s Life will also be held in Dekalb, Illinois on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant, with a 3:00 p.m. greeting, followed by his service at 4:00 p.m. and a buffet dinner at 5:00 p.m.

Donations in memory of Steve may be made to: Makajawan Alumni Association Northeast Illinois Council BSA, 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061