Berger, Waldo E.

Waldo E. Berger, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Meth-Wick Manor. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Kay Slocum will officiate. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Internment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ruth; his children, Karen Claffey of South Milwaukee, Wis., Sue Oltrogge of St. Louis Park, Minn., John (Amy) Berger of Lakewood, Calif. and Bill (Lori) Berger of Coralville; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rod; sisters, Nola, Ortha and Joann; and son-in-law, Michael Claffey.

Waldo was born July 4, 1922, in Cedar Rapids, the son of John and Ann (Prabel) Berger. Waldo was in the Marine Corp during World War II, serving in China and the South Pacific. After graduating from Carthage College in 1947, he married Ruth Wulfsberg on Aug. 23, 1947, in Cedar Rapids. Waldo was the president of Berger Construction which received several national awards and featured two homes that were on the cover of Life magazine. He was a lifetime member of First Lutheran Church and served in the late 1960s on the executive board of the Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. He was a member of the Cedar Rapids School Board between 1962 and 1973. During his time as chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, one high school, two junior highs and 15 elementary schools were built. He was appointed to the board of trustees at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis. in 1967 and later as a trustee emeritus.

Waldo was comfortable speaking to anyone as a peer, whether it was the president of the World Bank or a 5-year-old child or grandchild; and every dog he ever met knew he was the alpha dog.

Waldo enjoyed fishing and hunting. He participated in over 50 years of opening day of pheasant season. He loved golfing, volleyball, water skiing well into his 70s and playing racquetball into his early 80s. He enjoyed many years refereeing high school and college sports. Waldo was known and loved for his famous homemade peanut brittle and the unique way it was delivered every year. He was fondly known to many as “Sweet Sagacious Gracious Grandpa Waldo” and will be greatly missed by all.

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Donations may be made in his memory to either Carthage College, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight or First Lutheran Church.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 10, 2013.