"Nancy. Duane and I send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. We have fond memories hanging out with you and JR many years ago! Hugs to you. R.I.P JR! Duane and Penny Koehler. "
In loving memory of
John "JR" Berger
May 15, 1948 - January 19, 2020
John Robert "JR" Berger Jr., 71, of Goodview, died Sunday, January 19, 2020 at his home. JR was born May 15, 1948 in Winona to John Sr. and Dorothy "Dottie" (Carter) Berger. He graduated from Winona Senior High in 1967 and Winona Vo Tec in 1968. After completing Vo Tec he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1968, serving in the Vietnam War. In 1970 he Joined the National Guard and served until he retired in 1991. He began working at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1972 working first on the Dredge Thompson and later on Lock and Dam 4 on the Mississippi River. He retired in 2008 as Head Lock and Dam Operator due to his battle with Esophageal Cancer. On July 3rd, 1992 JR married the love of his life, Nancy (Drazkowski) Palubicki. He treated her children, and grandchildren, as his own.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 9. He held many roles over the years including Past Commander, Present Chaplan, 40:8, Burial Detail, Am Vets. He was also a member of the VFW in Richmond Heights, MO, Winona Elks Club, Hiawatha Valley Marines. He had a will to serve and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was truly one of the good ones. JR also enjoyed the simple things in life such as his garden, pontooning, and of course his good barbeque parties.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy Berger; her children, Amy (JJ) Ryan and their children, Mazy and Avery, Brad (Gabby) Palubicki, Eric (Rose) Palubicki and their children Avalee and Jameson; sister, Sandra (Steve) Militello and their children John (Stephanie) their children Harper and Jack, Mathew (Beth) and their children Natalie, Adam, and Joshua; siblings-in-law, Diane (Mike) Cada, Pat (Dave) Althoff, Gerald "Jerry" (Paulette) Drazkowski and many nieces and nephews. JR is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Patrick and Michael; mother and father-in-law Leonard and Helen Drazkowski; siblings-in-law, David and Susie Drazkowski. Pallbearers will be Al Stoltz, Jeff Brokaw, Tim Reed, Brian Trainor, Fred Maule, Gary Krause.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 25, with visitation from 11-2 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview. Celebrant Jodi Heim will be presiding. Following the service American Legion Post 9 will provide Military Honors followed by a reception at the American Legion. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
A huge thank you to Craig Brennan, JR's DAV Driver; Jeff Brokaw, Tim Reed for driving JR to Dialysis. The family would like to thank the Gundersen Clinic La Crosse, Gundersen Onalaska Dialysis Unit and the doctors and nurses that cared for JR during his illness all for their exceptional care and comfort. His 13 year battle was fought to the end. Semper Fi.
Tributes
"Dear Nancy, We Are So Sorry For The Passing Of Your Beloved Husband And Friend JR . He Touched Many Lives And Was Loved By Everyone Knew Him. Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With You and Your Family. All Our Love, Steve And Mary Koehler "
"My thoughts and prayers are with you all. JR was such a sweet guy and always had a hug to give. He will be missed. "
"I am sure gonna miss ya Buddy. R.I.P. MY BROTHER. Prayers to the family. Amen Brother. "
"I am sure gonna miss ya Buddy. R.I.P. MY BROTHER. Prayers to the family. Amen Brother. "
"Nancy, I did not get to Winona all that often but when I did a high light was taking with you and JR. he will be missed by his family, many friends and theMarines. My condolences to you"
"Aunt Nancy, I?m so sorry for your loss. My most memorable summers as a child were visiting you both in Winona. I will never forget those pontoon rides on the river, feasting like a king, going to the Legion, pull tabs?.so much pull tabs and that doesn?t even begin to scratch the surface. Uncle JR, I will always remember our salute. See you on the other side."
"Nancy and Family, So sorry to hear of JR's passing.....you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers....what a great guy!"
"Our sympathies to you Nancy and your family. Hap has many memories of JR on the dredge! He fought a good fight and now he?s at peace. Hold your memories close!"
"My summers as a child in Winona would not have been as memorable with out you. - pontoon rides with Shaina Twain on repeat - late nights at the legion - begging to stay the night with you and aunt Nancy - sorting your state quarters - the history channel on all the time - arguing over who snored the loudest - mountain dew......so much mountain dew - falling head first in to the fish pond out back - sitting on you lap and "driving" your truck I could go on and on......you will be missed uncle JR."
"... "To St. Peter he will tell: Another Marine reporting, Sir,"... Many say the words, but JR you embodied the phrase Semper Fidelis. Nancy, so sorry for your loss."
"My condolences to you and your family. I remember him. Nice and funny guy!"
"Nancy and family I am so sorry to hear of JR?s passing. Find peace and comfort with all your beauty memories and the friends who share in those memories with you. Hugs and prayers to you all "
"Nancy and family, we are very sorry for your loss. May he Rest In peace."
"I will always remember your sit at the Legion and always the warm hello!"
"My deepest sympathy to you Nancy and all the family....Cancer is a nasty thing....The hardest thing we have as humans is losing people we love...My hugs and prayers to you at this time..."
"So sorry for you loss he has been a friend since high school "
"What a good man, JR was! He was always quick with a smile and a hug. For the first few years after my husband died, JR would come out to the farm every spring to visit me and my sons....making sure we were doing okay. JR had a big heart and will be missed by many. Heaven awaits you, JR....Check it out. "
"Jr was an amazing friend to Chuck and I. I will never forget our Vikings trips, years on the river, the visits with his parents, the round table happy hours at Winona Bowl and the many visits in our garage.. This is just a few to mention. We were never more excited when he told us he found the Love of his life (Nancy). Together they shared a beautiful life. We will never forget all the memories and you will forever be in our hearts...."
"Nancy and family, sorry for your loss. Will miss JR on the corner. I'll always remember him having Justin salute him and heard they saluted each other at the chicken q this month. Thoughts and prayers are with you at the difficult time. Rich and Connie"
"Farewell JR, until we meet again. Fondly, Jeanine"
"So sorry to hear of JR?s passing Nancy. Always remember him fondly and our great time on the river. Keeping you and your family in our prayers. Megan and Tim Ryan"
"I sure am going to miss Him at the corner. Hugs to All."
"So sorry, Nancy, for your loss. Sending you hugs XXOO
Lori and Tim Smith"
"So sorry for your loss. No matter how many people were around he always talked to you like you were the only person in the room. He respected everyone as did many people respect him. Rest easy JR. John, Stacy, Spencer and Christian Wera "
"Nancy, I saw you tonight and my heart breaks for you. JR was always one to wave to me or a big hello smile. What a great guy who will be truly missed on ?the corner?. God Speed JR, heaven gained a true angel!"
"Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in JR being at peace. Kristen Herrick "
"Aunt Nancy, I?m so sorry for your loss. You and Uncle JR were always my favorite aunt and uncle. I enjoyed coming up to Winona to spend time with you in the summers. A day out on the river was my favorite. I have fond memories of Uncle JR letting me take over driving the pontoon boat. Bloedow?s donuts, Uncle JRs barbeque, and sitting out on the back porch chatting were always keys to a great summer vacation. As if summers weren?t enough, you guys always spoiled me and John with great presents for birthdays and Christmas. I had a lot of laughs over the years; either you or Uncle JR saying something funny, or your friendly banter at each other. He had such a quick wit. I?ll miss my uncle. He was one-of-a-kind. Uncle JR ? thank you for your service to our country and for serving as a great uncle and role model in my life. May you rest in peace."
"RIPontoon Paradise Uncle JR "
"JR was my brother, my children's uncle, and a brother-in-law to my husband Steve. He was born with pitch black hair and dark brown eyes. He was a happy child who enjoyed baseball, ice hockey, shooting hoops and going to amusement parks. He loved spending time with his grandfather, Paw Paw, and Uncle. He was a cub scout, boy scout, and alter boy. He loved to ride his go-cart a lot. He was very generous and always included relatives in the activities. He was a hard worker and at a young age mowed lawns to make extra spending money. When our parents moved from St Louis to Winona, he loved the area and made Winona his forever home. He loved to hunt, fish, and enjoyed boating and later pontooning on the Mississippi. He had many friends and was always there when someone needed help. He loved spending time at the American Legion. He was also a chaplain and enjoyed all that it involved. He loved children and spoiled my sons, John and Matthew, at an early age. Nancy, Steve and I are deeply saddened at the loss of your spouse and my brother John. My sons will also miss him deeply. I am now happy JR is with the Lord and is no longer in pain. With great sadness, Sandy Militello "
"Nancy so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family. Wes and Brenda Whetstone"
"Janet A. Rompa, Jan. 22, 2020 J.R. you?ve always been a special person. Thanks for all the hard times and fun. See you on the other side. The ?teach?. "
"Your pain and suffering are now offer, RIP. Love you."