Marvin Berke

Marvin Kent Berke, 72, resident of Rockton, Illinois, peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 20, 2023, at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Ft. Myers, Florida, surrounded by his loving wife, Wanda of 51 years, daughter Melissa Barnhart and son, Spencer Berke.

He was born November 24, 1950, in DeKalb, Illinois. The son of Tilmen and Viola (Kirkhus) Berke. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, DeKalb. He attended DeKalb public schools graduating from DeKalb HS in 1968. Graduated from Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota, 1970, and received his Bachelors of Science in Business from Northern Illinois University in 1973. While at Bethany, he met his soul-mate Wanda Olmanson and married on June 26, 1971 at Norseland Lutheran church, Norseland, Minnesota.

After graduating, he started his career with DeKalbAg Research, starting at Esmond, Illinois; transferring and promoted to these locations: Harlingen, Texas; Grinnell, Iowa; Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Oelwein, Iowa; Bloomington, Illinois; Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for a total of 27 years. He started with Dairyland Seed company, West Bend, Wisconsin in 1993. Retiring from Dairyland in 2015 due to medical issues. With these two agricultural seed companies, received many award trips for his excellent sales achievements.

He was blessed with two children, daughter Melissa Barnhart, husband Bud; son, Spencer, wife Tara. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Madeline, Elizabeth and Benjamin Barnhart. Lily, Greyson and Talley Berke.

His goal in life was three things:
* Be a good husband
* Be a good dad
* Be a good grandpa/poppie
He struggled with diabetes his entire adult life, but with support from a loving wife, had a very fulfilled life, playing golf, his favorite sport.

After his retirement, he found a calling, working with and consulting amputees around the Rockford area with Amputee Resource Network Coalition. He received great joy in helping others with that condition.

He was a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Rockton, Illinois. Serving on the Finance Board as a counter for several years, and a member of the Home Free burn the mortgage committee.

One of the greatest joys of his life was following his six grandchildren to all their athletic games and school events.

Marvin was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage, having visited his Olsen relatives in Hjelmeland twice, plus hosting our relatives several times. A proud member of the Sons of Norway, Valhall Lodge, Rockford, for 30 years.

He is survived by the love of his life, wife Wanda (Olmanson), daughter Melissa Barnhart, husband, Bud; grandchildren, Madeline, Elizabeth and Benjamin of Wheaton, Illinois. Son, Spencer, wife, Tara, grandchildren, Lillian, Greyson and Talley Berke of Roscoe, Illinois. Brother, Larry (Kay) Berke, DeKalb, Illinois, sister, Phyllis Fischer, Plymouth, Minnesota and sister-in-law, Diane Berke, Rockford, Illinois. Sister-in-laws, Doris (Ron) Rollefson, Anita (Tom) Wise, Brenda Davis, brother-in-law, Kent Olmanson, and father-in-law, Duane Olmanson. Many nieces and nephews, Jeff Berke, Andrew Berke, Kendra Thornton, Ron Berke, Randy Berke, Jennifer McVean, Heidi Pyrros, Aaron Olmanson, Andrea Schumacher, Jesse Olmanson, Teanna Stadum, Tanecia Bee, Taylor Wise, Trenton Wise, Stephanie Hedstrom, Sam Rollefson, Lexi May, Greta Petry, Gabrielle Davis, Raquel Davis, and Wyatt Davis. Special cousins, Debi Nicholson, Darla Massier, Dick Berke and Julie Berke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tilmen and Viola Berke and brother Don Berke.

The visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd, Rockton, Illinois on Sunday, January 29th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Service will be held on Monday, January 30th, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 511 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, Illinois 61072 at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon following in church Fellowship Hall. Burial at Fairview Park Cemetery, 1601 S. 1st Street, DeKalb, Illinois at 3:30 p.m. Rev. Don Stein, officiant.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Marvin K. Berke Scholarship at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. (blc.edu/donate )- see “other designation” followed by a box that you can type in Marvin K. Berke Scholarship.

Please wear red, white or blue in honor of his Norwegian heritage.