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Russell Edward Berg of River Falls, Wisconsin passed away on Thursday, August 8th, 2024, with his family by his side.
He was born the son of Robert & Eleanor Berg on June 1, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Russ graduated from River Falls High School in 1966. He later went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and Hamline University School of Law.
In June of 1969, Russ married his high school sweetheart, Debbie. They had three children: Melissa, Aaron, and Angela.
As an attorney, Russ was in private practice for many years before becoming an Assistant District Attorney for the State of Wisconsin. He started this role in Pierce County before transitioning to Barron County. He took great pride in his work, primarily prosecuting drug crimes.
Russ was a lifelong sports fan. Over the years he coached Aaron’s Legion baseball team and Megan & Colin’s 4-H softball team. He was a huge fan of RFHS wrestling and did radio broadcasts for team tournaments for many years. Russ and Debbie loved the Green Bay Packers and made the drive to Lambeau Field each year with friends, Bill and Sue.
He loved his grandchildren dearly. From sporting events to band or choir concerts, plays, dance competitions or livestock shows, if Megan, Colin or Ethan were involved in an activity, Russ and Debbie were there to be their biggest cheerleaders. Over the years, Russ and Ethan spent days during the summer together going on various adventures.
After retirement Russ and Debbie took multiple trips to Hawaii and wintered in Green Valley, AZ. As a couple they enjoyed monthly “Friends Dinners” and attending classic car shows. For Russ the highlight of each year was taking his Corvair and Ford to the Back to the 50s Car Show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Russ enjoyed roasting coffee beans so he could make what he referred to as a “perfect cup of coffee” each day. His other passion was pen making. With Debbie, and later Melissa, as the “design department”, he used a lathe to create beautiful keepsake pens to give to his children and grandchildren each Christmas.
After his passing, Russ’s eyes were donated to Lions Gift of Sight to be used for cornea transplants. This was especially meaningful to his family as his daughter, Angela, was blind.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Angela and wife, Debbie. Russ is survived by his children, Melissa (Jason) Schulte and Aaron Berg; grandchildren, Megan (James) Engel, Colin Schulte, Ethan Berg; great grandchild, Charles Engel; sister, Jan Berg, brother Dan (Gayle) Berg; as well as extended family members and close friends.
Debbie passed away on April 9, 2020, while she and Russ were in Arizona. Due to the covid pandemic, services were unable to be held at that time. Russ and Debbie’s family and friends celebrated two beautiful lives on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 12:00PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St) in River Falls, Wisconsin, with a visitation starting at 10:00AM.
Family and friends who own classic cars are encouraged to drive them to the service.
Click here to watch the recording of Russ and Debbie’s service on Saturday.
20 Comments
Russ was such a great person and I loved his sense of humor. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I remember Russ when he was county attorney for Pierce county! He was my lawyer! Loved him!
I remember Russ when he was county attorney
Melissa, Aaron and families, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He had an amazing sense of humor and it was always a joy to run into him. Prayers of peace and comfort to all of you.
Russ, you were our best friend & next door neighbor, we will especially miss our weekly Friday Fish Fry Night at our favorite restaurent.
You will be dearly missed, Also the weekly Coffee Roasting your patio. We had some great times, rest in peace, best bud.
So many memories of working with Russ in the criminal justice system in Barron County. He was a great prosecutor who saw value in people. He inspired me to roast coffee , and we had hours of conversations about how to do it and where to buy beans.RIP my friend.
I am so thankful for Russ and the person he was . Never a dumb question asked he’d tell me and I had a lot of them so I thought. I will miss him. Condolences to the family on your losses.
Russ was a hard working and caring prosecutor with a great sense of humor. We were very fortunate to have his many talents here in Barron county during my tenure as Circuit Court Judge for the past decade. External rest grant unto him oh Lord.
I’m so sorry that Russ has passed. I met him in the early 70’s when our legal community was small, close and local. Great guy, great sense of humor.
Russ was one of my first students in choir at River Falls High School he was wonderful to work with joined an extracurricular caroling group and I loved keeping in touch with him after he retired
I so sorry for your families loss. May the previous moments that you shared together bring you comfort. Sending you love, support and strength during this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love and Hugs.
Russ was a very caring man and had a great sense of humor.
I am sorry for your loss. Russ was such a good person. we had a lot of fun when we worked together in Pierce County, Especially playing cribbage over our lunch hours with the court reporter and our victim witness coordinator. he was even a good sport in 1998 when he lost a bet over a Viking/Packer game and had to get his picture taken wearing Viking paraphernalia. I wouldn’t be where I am now career wise, if not for Russ. He was truly a good guy.
I extend my most heartfelt sympathy to all of you on the death of Russ. I enjoyed his kindness toward me when our paths crossed while working in Pierce County. His humor softened difficult encounters, and put people at ease. May his memory be eternal.
Russ and I went through UW-RF together and oh the stories I could tell—-but won’t.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Russ. I’m remembering all the fun times our group of friends had back in the ’60s.
Both Debbie and Russ were great people! Knew them from school.
He was fun. He married me and my ex in my yard, Sorry he is gone .
I remember Russ when we were in Pilgrim Fellowship at the Congregational Church. He was a such a great kid!!! I hadn’t seen him for decades, but reading all the remembrances of Russ brought back my memories of him…always joyful and funny!!!
I enjoyed playing raquetball back in the mid 90s. He and I had a possitive relationship.
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