Stephen "Steve" Berg

Stephen “Steve” Erik Berg, 74, of Dekalb, IL, and Lily, WI, died March 23, 2023, at Azura Assisted Living Home in Wausau, WI. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pickerel, WI. Born August 22, 1948, to the late Anton and Gunver (Mailand) Berg in Des Moines, IA, he graduated from Ela Vernon High School in Lake Zurich Illinois in 1966. Sgt. Steve was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served from 1968-1970 in the 1st Air Cavalry, earning a Bronze Star Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, College of Lake County, and Northern Illinois University where he earned his PhD in Public Administration. He continued to cultivate and share his knowledge as a Professor at NIU for many years.

Steve was a proud NRA member, a HAM radio enthusiast, and loved spending time on the road on his Harley. He was known as an excellent writer, storyteller, and intellectual- and will be especially remembered for his puns and independent sense of humor. He believed in, and exemplified, personal responsibility and care for people in his community. You could really count on Steve. He was a mentor for many students at NIU over the years as well as a Merit Badge Counselor for DeKalb area Scouts. He especially enjoyed his time volunteering as a Shooting Sports Counselor at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in Pearson, WI.

He was able to appreciate and respect people, even those with whom he disagreed, and was not afraid to defend what he believed in. He also gave great hugs.

He is survived by family and many friends across the USA including Keith and Ed Berg of Iowa, John and Brenda Lillstrom of Wisconsin and Donna Prain of Iowa. The funeral will take place in Ogden, IA at 5pm April 20 at Carson Stapp Funeral Home. A celebration of Steve’s life will take place on April 21, at Rosita’s Restaurant in DeKalb, IL from 3-8pm. Donations in memory of Steve may be made to: Makajawan Alumni Association Northeast Illinois Council BSA 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061.