Berg, Leander M.

Leander M. Berg, 96, of Keota, passed away Friday, May 14, 2010, at Maplewood Manor in Keota of declining health, with his family by his side. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, at Holy Trinity Parish-St. Mary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries-St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be a wake service at 4 p.m.

Leander was born May 26, 1913, in Harper, to Nick and Magdalena (Adam) Berg. On Feb. 1, 1938, he married Mary J. Merz. He farmed in the Clear Creek community most of his life until retiring to Keota in 1977. He and Mary loved dancing, traveling and a good card game.

Survivors include seven children, Mary Ellen and husband Max Vail of Des Moines, Michael and wife Kathleen Berg of Harper, Peg and husband Bill Bruty of Rockledge, Fla., Kathy and husband Dave Peden of West Branch, Daniel and wife Jeanne Berg of Iowa City, Roger Berg of Keota and Alan and wife Judy Berg of Sigourney; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Gen Altenhofen of Harper; and three brothers, Ivo Berg of Riverside, Bernard Berg of Wellman and Jerry Berg of Sigourney.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary in 2006; sister, Marie Merz; brothers, Lavern, Cletus and Urban Berg; grandson, Nicholas Berg; great-grandson, Nolan Bruty; and great-granddaughter, Maggie Rogerson.

A memorial fund has been established for Keokuk County Hospice or the Clear Creek Heritage Association.

Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Leander and his family. Condolences may be sent online at under obituaries.