Share this pageAbout June K. Berg
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 29 May 2008 17:48
- Written by June K. Berg
Background, Origin and Family
I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I was born on a small dairy farm near Colfax, WI on 8 November 1927. I am the oldest of 4 daughters and 2 sons. My mother Haldis was born in Norway and immigrated to the United States in 1915. My father Henry Rolstad was born in Dunn Co. Wisconsin. I was born at home during the great depression years. I completed high school at Colfax, WI during the World War II years. I am presently married to Stan, have 4 children (David, Dan, Susan and Julie) 10 grandchildren (Kristen, Gretchen, Steven, Jordan, Allison, Michael, Amanda, Erik, Emily and Daniel) and 3 great grandchildren (Andrea, Brianna and Marijane). Stan's father Tom introduced us in the spring of 1951 when Stan was home on leave from the U. S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps. Our first date was on a beautiful spring evening in May. Stan took me out for dinner at "The Spot" on - (Photo above - December 1994) - Chetek Lake Narrows and my first ever steak. One year later we danced in the New Year at The Spot. The popular song that year was "Tennessee Waltz" and it became our song. We were married in August 1952 at Bloomington, IL and have been together for over 50 years..
Activities and Interests
My prime interests are family, children and grandchildren. I enjoy having lunch or coffee with friends. I participate in church activities at Redeemer Lutheran Church. (Church Board, Sunday School Teacher, Bell Choir and Greetor.) I served as a Girl Scout Leader. I love collecting. (Angels, Avon Collectibles, Bells, Cobalt Blue Depression Glass, Cups, Dolls, Family Historical Pictures, Plates and Spoons.) Personal family and travel photography is great fun. I enjoy reading, especially Max Lucado. Travel is a great joy. Stan is a forensic consultant who traveled to forensic science conferences in the U. S. and abroad. I would always accompany him. We visited most large cities in the U. S. Our first international travel was to a forensic conference in Russia, Hungary and Austria in 1969. During 1972-1999, we visited London eight (8) times (our favorite city). Also in this same period we attended forensic conferences in Edinburgh (Scotland), Dusseldorf University (Germany), Gottingen (Germany), Oxford University, (England) Rome and Zurich. Because of our many trips to London we became warm friends of Gordon and Joan Bruce of Bexley, Kent and watched their children grow up over the years. We also visited Mexico and Canada. (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver) I loved Dancing. Stan and I danced the night away in such far away places as Moscow and Leningrad. I was fortunate in that I was able to take my mother on a trip to Norway in 1972, visiting relatives and mother's birthplace in Rodoy. In 1975, I guided a similar trip with my sister Betty.
The Alzheimer's Connection
On January 26, 1998, (Black Monday) I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Because I had been concerned with my memory, tests were done at the University of MN that diagnosed early stage Alzheimer's. Since that time my life has really changed and taken a much different turn. As my memory and mental powers started slipping away, I have had to give up my driving and many other independent activities. This disease caused Stan and I to evaluate our life at that point and do the things we had put off to a later date. We finally took the trip to Maui, HI that we always talked about. We took the bus tour to Branson that had been recommended many times by friends. We made a last trip to London to visit our English friends. We timed this trip with the opening of the Sherlock Holmes Festival in London. We stayed at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel. Included in the festival was a Reception at Tower Bridge and a super fun lunch at Parliment's House of Lords Plaza (Lord Cottesloe's Guests) on the Thames. (Photo - above right taken February 1998.)
June K. Berg (May 2000)
Husband's (Stan) Notes
On Wednesday March 16th 2005, the darkest day in our life together, it became necessary to place June in the care of the Wellstead of Roger's an assisted living facility that specialized in Alzheimer's treatment. To read of the heart wrenching pathway leading to this decision, click on this link:
"The Alzheimer's Facility Decision."
(Photo below right - June at the Wellstead - November 2005 - June's faded look - the ravages of Alzheimer's.) 
This turned out to be an unfortunate decision. When I later registered a written complaint to the Administration of the Wellstead in which I expressed dissatisfaction with their management of June's care, they responded with a letter (3/13/2006) that demanded June and I leave the Wellstead "effective May 1, 2006" or "at the earliest possible date." This letter was contrary to the fact that the Wellstead previously gave us a document that outlined our "right to present grievances and File Complaints" and to be "free from any form of retaliation." I would be remiss if I did not thank the Wellstead Nursing Assistants such as Ashley, Emmy, Kim and others who displayed kindness and compassion to June during their watch.
We were fortunate in quickly finding a fine facility that was literally a "stones throw" from the house that June lived in for nearly 40 years and her old neighborhood of near 50 years. (The Wellstead was 21 miles away.) Maybe this is God's response to my prayers to bring June home. June is now at "The Villa" (3/24/2006) which is the Alzheimer's wing of the Benedictine Health Center at Innsbruck in New Brighton, MN. I have found the Benedictine to have a very positve and entirely different management atmosphere. This is probably due to the facts that unlike the Wellstead, the Benedictine is non profit, Medicare approved and a Faith based or Spiritual based Organization. Also unlike the Wellstead, the Benedictine has a full time staff member (Marilyn) whose only duty is training and retraining the nurses and aids. The CEO (Susan) takes her turn as front door receptionist when needed. A front office staff that assists with resident feeding.
It is my hope and prayer that June will now be able to live out her remaining days in peace and comfort.
A Final note on June's Passing:
On October 23rd 2008, June passed away from complications of Alzheimer's disease just 16 days short of her 81st birthday. The light of my life was snuffed out! June had survived almost a full 11 years from the date of her diagnosis. (The average survival time is 8 years.)
It was almost exactly one year earlier on October 21st, 2007, that my mother Ellen F. (Nedland) Silbaugh also passed away, another victim of Alzheimer's disease.
Our Great Grandchildren (Erik's) Owen Oneal who was born on 5 August 2006 and Katrina Ann who was born on 18 January 2008,( Steven's) twin girls Sophie Olivia and Ileana Charlotte born 29 April 2010, (Allison's) twin boys Devin Jessie and Brandon Lee born 15 September 2011, will never know their special Grandmother.
June was a most extraordinary women. Not a day passes but that she is the first thing on my mind every morning and the last thing every night....I miss her so much. June was the Orchid that I found while searching for a Rose. She was truly a once in a life time find!
The Bible contains an excellent description of June as a wife and mother:
“A Wife of noble character…is worth far more than rubies…she brings…good all the days of her life…she watches over the affairs of her household…Her Children arise and call her blessed, her Husband …praises her.” (Proverbs 31: 10-28)…
This description in the Bible of a "Wife of noble character" is a most fitting description of June in every way as she functioned in her role of a wife and mother.
June's Home: June loved her last home at 6025 Gardena Lane more than any previous home. June lived in this home for almost 40 years. This was a home that we purchased the lot, and then participated in the design of the home. We watched the home as it was constructed. Most of the family hoidays over the years were spent at this home on Gardena Lane. (1966 - ) For pictures of June's home at 6025 Gardena Lane and for a poem about the home click on this link:
Note: For greater detail on June's life with Alzheimer's and her struggle with the disease of almost 11 years, please click on the below link for the article on:
"June K. Berg's Journey into Alzheimer's"
June's obituary is found on the same blue navigation strip, under the tab "In Memoriam" on on the drop down menu:
"June K. (Rolstad) Berg - In Memoriam".
Last updated 21 March 2011.
