Fred Berger

Fred Berger, 67, of Mandan, ND passed away unexpectedly on January 30, 2025.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, February 6th at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church in Bismarck.  A luncheon will follow at the Mandan Eagles Club.  Burial will take place in St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery in Huff, ND.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Church with a prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM.

Fred Berger was born on June 24, 1957 to Joe & Darlene Berger in Mandan, ND where he lived his entire life. Fred spent his childhood working for his father’s cattle and bucking bull business. It was his early years as a cowboy that instilled in him an impenetrable work ethic. But to work that hard involves a little play. He spent his weekends with his family on the rodeo trail. Fred rode bulls, barebacks, steer wrestled, and the rest. It was ranching and rodeo that gave Fred countless lifelong friends and memories to match. Then as rodeo slowed down, he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a cattle buyer.

A cattle buyer's life is anything but glamorous. During the busy winter run, he would hit 5-6 sales in a week across multiple states, buying cattle for customers across the Midwest and sleeping seldomly. For Fred, 200+ phone calls in a day was a slow day. Yet, he never complained. 

He was incredibly proud of where he was from, Mandan, North Dakota and to be a Berger. He was most proud of the family he built, as he fiercely loved his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, his mother, father, nieces and nephews, and friends and his hired men and women as if they were family. Fred’s heart was his best quality by a country mile. He wouldn’t just give you the shirt off his back. He would shelter and feed you, while helping you find your purpose. Then, he might even try to hire you. When you were one on one with Fred, he made you feel like the most special person in the world. He gave you everything and expected nothing in return. He was a man of immense faith and attempted to walk in Jesus’ footsteps every single day. He was an honest man. A man with integrity. He left this earth with shoes that ten men couldn’t fill. 

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Arlene, his children, Nicole and Zach Hoverson, Kimmy and Luke Shafer, Kiley and Mick Miller, Allison and Sam Joyce, Jacob Berger, Joe and Liv Berger, Nathan and Maddie Berger, his grandchildren, Kiyana, Kyler, Jeorgia, Ellie, Camree, Reisi, Van, Quinn, Piper, Sloane, Crew, and Jack, his mother, Darlene Berger, and his siblings, Joleen Berger, Kim and Mark Kuhn, Chad and Sarah Berger, and Nevada Berger, and Fred’s former spouse Nancy Werner, and daughter Nevada Cheyenne; mother-in-law, Bernadine Mills; sisters and brothers-in-law, Kim Schauer, Bobbi (Dave) Kuether, Billy (Heather) Mills, Sean (Michelle) Mills, and Jack (Julie) Mills. He was preceded in death by his hero and father Joe M. Berger; and his fathers-in-law, Jack Mills and Arlen Dahl.

The year before his untimely passing, he received a great honor from the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, TX. He was joined by his brother Chad and brother-in-law Skinner, as they got to witness their hero Fred be presented with The Legacy Award.

For a man who cast a big wake, he moved in silence. The Lakota Sioux tribe ceremoniously adopted Fred, his father and brothers into their tribe in 2007. The honorary Sioux name given to him was Man Who Walks Alone. He spent his last full day on earth doing what he loved. Fred sorted cattle and went to Kist Livestock for the Wednesday sale. His wife made his favorite meal and they enjoyed a quiet evening at home. For someone given the name Man Who Walks Alone, he is now in a place where he is everything but alone. 

There are many things that will forever remain in our memories. The smell of his cologne in the morning leading to the scent of a hard day's work sorting cattle. The determination to make it to any of his kids or grandchildren’s events. The joy in his face when he could sit in his chair listening to his family talk. The immense pride he took in his kids and grandkids. 

How he always treated his wife with the utmost respect and love. Asking him where he was going on a random day and getting the answer, “Texas.” The beauty in his smile, the truth in his heart, the care that he gave. We might have lost the greatest man we have ever known down on earth, but Heaven gained one of the most beautiful souls.