Duane Berger Obituary
Duane Eldon Berger born on July 18,1942 in Bremen, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 18, 2023 at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. As a toddler, his parents Kermit and Kathryn Berger decided to relocate to Mesa, Arizona where they became poultry farmers. His younger brother Jan recalls Duane at the age of 7 stating that he “was going to be a farmer” not of chickens but of fields. Farm he did until the day he left this world. Duane started Farming in 1956 at the age of 14, when he initiated a sharecrop idea with a neighbor and made as much money in that year with one cotton crop as the U.S National average annual salary. Thus began a lifetime of planning for the next crop. He was discussing which fields he wanted to plant in the new year until the day he left this world. Duane attended Mesa High School, Class of 1960 in Mesa Arizona. He began relationships with farmers across the Southwest U.S., farming as far as South Texas for the King Ranch and Northern California for the J.G. Boswell Corporation well into the 21st century. He moved to Blythe, California in 1968 and resided there until his death. He formed a business partnership with his childhood friend Euell Barnes, and his first wife Ressa (Sawyer) Berger forming Barnes and Berger Farms (www.barnesandberger.com) in 1972. Duane served as a board member of the CALCOT organization for over 30 years, as well as serving as a 30+ year board member of Palo Verde Irrigation District in Blythe, California at the time of his death.
Duane joins his deceased 2nd wife Louise (Wilson) Berger (whom he lovingly referred to as “Sugar”) in the great big farmland in the sky. They are probably standing behind a stack of hay bales kissing as you read this.
Duane is survived by his Daughter Sandra “Sissy” (Berger) Anderson of Chandler, Arizona, Sister Lagail (Berger) Damron of Duncanville, Texas, Brother Jan Berger of Prescott Arizona, Grandchildren Trevor Jenkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dylan James Jenkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Riley Ressa Cook of Lafayette, Louisiana, Aidan Phillip Fox of Tempe, Arizona, Layla Louise Fox of Chandler, Arizona and Zane Eldon Fox of Chandler, Arizona.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Banner University Medical Center ICU POD C in Phoenix, Arizona for the exemplary care they provided to Duane in his last days. The family would also like to thank all those who have reached out with their love and kind words. His death has been felt far and wide and he is greatly missed by so many.
Services for Duane Eldon Berger will take place at the Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Blythe, California on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 10 am, with a luncheon to follow at the Colorado River Fairgrounds Jaycee Building.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Local FFA Boosters (Attn Mary Ann Maxfield, 667 N. Lovekin Blvd, Blythe, California, 92225). Duane was an avid supporter of the FFA and 4-H organizations, purchasing livestock from the annual CRF auction every year since 1977 and would want his memory served through that organization.
Duane wished for his final resting place to be buried next to his wife Louise (Wilson) Berger at the Brack-Wilson Family Cemetery, Bear Creek Hollow Rd in Oneida, Kentucky.
Duane Eldon Berger born on July 18,1942 in Bremen, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 18, 2023 at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. As a toddler, his parents Kermit and Kathryn Berger decided to relocate to Mesa, Arizona where they became poultry farmers. His younger brother Jan recalls Duane at the age of 7 stating that he “was going to be a farmer” not of chickens but of fields. Farm he did until the day he left this world. Duane started Farming in 1956 at the age of 14, when he initiated a sharecrop idea with a neighbor and made as much money in that year with one cotton crop as the U.S National average annual salary. Thus began a lifetime of planning for the next crop. He was discussing which fields he wanted to plant in the new year until the day he left this world. Duane attended Mesa High School, Class of 1960 in Mesa Arizona. He began relationships with farmers across the Southwest U.S., farming as far as South Texas for the King Ranch and Northern California for the J.G. Boswell Corporation well into the 21st century. He moved to Blythe, California in 1968 and resided there until his death. He formed a business partnership with his childhood friend Euell Barnes, and his first wife Ressa (Sawyer) Berger forming Barnes and Berger Farms (www.barnesandberger.com) in 1972. Duane served as a board member of the CALCOT organization for over 30 years, as well as serving as a 30+ year board member of Palo Verde Irrigation District in Blythe, California at the time of his death.
Duane joins his deceased 2nd wife Louise (Wilson) Berger (whom he lovingly referred to as “Sugar”) in the great big farmland in the sky. They are probably standing behind a stack of hay bales kissing as you read this.
Duane is survived by his Daughter Sandra “Sissy” (Berger) Anderson of Chandler, Arizona, Sister Lagail (Berger) Damron of Duncanville, Texas, Brother Jan Berger of Prescott Arizona, Grandchildren Trevor Jenkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dylan James Jenkins of Las Vegas, Nevada, Riley Ressa Cook of Lafayette, Louisiana, Aidan Phillip Fox of Tempe, Arizona, Layla Louise Fox of Chandler, Arizona and Zane Eldon Fox of Chandler, Arizona.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Banner University Medical Center ICU POD C in Phoenix, Arizona for the exemplary care they provided to Duane in his last days. The family would also like to thank all those who have reached out with their love and kind words. His death has been felt far and wide and he is greatly missed by so many.
Services for Duane Eldon Berger will take place at the Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Blythe, California on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 10 am, with a luncheon to follow at the Colorado River Fairgrounds Jaycee Building.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Local FFA Boosters (Attn Mary Ann Maxfield, 667 N. Lovekin Blvd, Blythe, California, 92225). Duane was an avid supporter of the FFA and 4-H organizations, purchasing livestock from the annual CRF auction every year since 1977 and would want his memory served through that organization.
Duane wished for his final resting place to be buried next to his wife Louise (Wilson) Berger at the Brack-Wilson Family Cemetery, Bear Creek Hollow Rd in Oneida, Kentucky.