Leslie Oliver Berg, age 70, of North Hudson, died suddenly at his home on July 24, 2011.

Les was born on April 1, 1941 to Stewart and Thelma (Benson) Berg in Clarkfield, Minnesota. He grew up on the Berg family farm near Clarkfield and graduated from Clarkfield High School with the class of 1959 as a National Merit Scholar. Upon graduation, Les attended Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. It was in the fall of 1966 that Les met Meredith “Maf” Foss while taking part in a “singles” bowling league they both attended. The two dated for two years and while on a fishing trip, Les proposed. The two were joined in marriage on October 19, 1968 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. The union would be blessed with two daughters, Kari and Kristin. The Berg family settled in Bloomington and Les began his career at 3M in St. Paul, MN. In 1975 the family built a home in St. Paul where they would live until 1982. They would make their final move to Hudson where they built another home and settled. Les worked for 3M first as a chemist and retiring as a chemical engineer and supervisor 1999. He would then dedicate his time to various charitable organizations in the Hudson community.

Les was a good-natured man with a good work ethic and a sense of humor. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing. With his job at 3M he was able to enjoy “work fishing trips” with clients in Canada, Chesapeake Bay, and other places. Around home he enjoyed gardening and woodworking – even owning a custom framing business and art gallery while in St. Paul. He was a sports fan and cheered faithfully for the Vikings (as any good Norwegian should) and also enjoyed sports. He particularly enjoyed tennis, playing in leagues and winning many of the tournaments he was a part of. He was also very active in the Hudson community with the “Operation HELP” charity as the treasurer and with “We Do Feet” as part of the steering committee. His family also sponsored a Hmong family from Cambodia allowing them to relocate to Minnesota. This was a special relationship that was recently rekindled. Les used his many talents, opportunities and activities as a constant witness for his faith in God and love of Jesus. He and Maf were a part of 19 foreign mission trips including Slovakia, Honduras, and Ecuador, as well as helping with national relief efforts including Katrina, Red River Valley Flood Relief, Granite Falls and St. Peter Tornado Repair and many others. Les was a dedicated family man who supported his daughters through every aspect of their lives. He also adored spending time with his grandchildren.

Les will be dearly missed by his family. This includes his; wife, Meredith “Maf” of North Hudson; daughters, Kari Hermansen of Hudson and Kristin (Derek) Wise of New Brighton, MN; grandchildren, Taylor and Maia Hermansen and Liv and Lis Wise; sister, Corrine (Keith) Benson of Robbinsdale, MN; niece, Angela Benson of St. Paul, MN and nephew, Ryan Benson of Las Vegas, NV. He is further survived by many cousins, other relatives and dear friends.

A funeral celebration of Les’ life will be held on July 29, 2011 at Trinity Lutheran Church 1205 6th Street, Hudson, WI at 11 o’clock in the morning. Burial will follow at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson, WI. A visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to services at the church as well as on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson Chapel from 5-7pm. Pastor Tim Booth will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to a designated charity in Les’ name. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.