James "Jim" Berger

James A. Berger, 68, of Mandan, passed away December 22, 2019 at his home in Mandan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, December 27, 2019 at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, ND with Rev. Todd Kreitinger as celebrant. Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

This approach may be unusual, but I, Jim, wrote my own obituary.  At 68 years old, I lived most of my life in Mandan, ND.  I spent a short time in Breckenridge, MN, while attending North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND.

I was born in Mandan, ND, on September 13, 1951.  With my luck, I began to believe that it was Friday the 13th.

I married the love of my life, Jeanie Berger, on June 28, 1990.  We married on Jeanie’s birthday, and I always teased that I only had to get her one present on her and our special day.

I worked numerous jobs throughout my life: building wood-framed machine sheds, working on an extra gang for the railroad for a short time, being a service advisor at Chase Chevrolet, playing drums in several bands, and spending six years in the North Dakota National Guard.  I completed my basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri.

After the guard, I wanted to advance myself, so I attended NDSCS.  I spent nine months at sheet-metal workers’ training and then began working at Mandan Sheet Metal.  Later, I worked at the Dakota Gas power plant.  I spent my final working years at my favorite job, City Air Mechanical, where I was a service manager.

My hobbies included fishing; camping; and watching my grandchildren dance and play basketball, baseball, football, and soccer.

I left behind my wonderful, always loving wife, Jeanie; my two daughters, Kelly (Charles) Cooper of Fargo, ND, and Sarah (Steven) Denson of Anchorage, AK; and my two sons, Jeremy (Channon) Berger of Santan Valley, AZ, and Chad (Mary) Tooke of Mandan, ND.

I had eight grandchildren who made my life complete.

I was preceded in death by my father, Jack Berger; my mother, Alma Berger-Wetzel; and my two brothers, Dennis and Rodney Berger.

I would like to thank my closest friends who have led me in the right direction during my life.  I would also like to thank my doctors at Sanford and Father Todd.

God Bless Us All,

James Allan Berger

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the guestbook and share memories with his family.