Laurence Garves-Berg

LAURENCE ARNOLD BERG & VICKI L. GARVES-BERG Laurence "Larry" Berg, of Houlton, WI, along with his beloved wife Vicki Garves-Berg, and dear friend Brett Weller, died tragically in a plane crash near Menomonie, WI on January 30, 2009. Larry served as a constant reminder to us all that life can be lived to the fullest; and that a life filled with passionate pursuits is where the real meaning lies. He found that same zest for living in his wife of 13 years, Vicki. Married atop a mountain in Vail, CO, on April 8, 1995, their mutual love of skiing and the outdoors brought them together and kept them truly happy throughout their marriage. Their bond was enhanced by even the simplest things, like walking their precious golden lab, Noel; or entertaining friends at their cabin in Canada. Among his many pursuits, Larry was an accomplished sailor and sailboat racer on the Great Lakes; an avid helicopter skier, a certified ski instructor and an examiner for the Professional Ski Instructors of America, a children's ski racing team coach; a triathlete and state champion swimmer (high school and college); and an enthusiastic outdoorsman and hunter. Along with Vicki and Father-in-Law Ken, Larry celebrated his 50th birthday hunting caribou in Nunavut Territory. Larry also developed a passion for flying and was a licensed pilot with an instrument rating. As both an enthusiastic and meticulous pilot, Larry had plans for developing a charter business upon his retirement. Larry graduated from Stillwater High School and attended Bemidji State University and UW-Eau Claire. He was employed by Andersen Corporation in Bayport, MN since 1977. Larry was a member of the Quarter Century Club, having worked his way up through the organization from the plant, to the service area, to the Circle of Excellence, where he led a team of personnel who supported the sales and marketing needs of top dealers. Larry was also a tour guide for the plant. Larry was born on October 2,1957 in St. Charles, LA to Gwendolyn and James Berg. He is survived by father, James Berg, Sun Lakes, AZ and sister, Laura Rapp and husband, Joseph Rapp, nieces and nephew Camden, Natalie, and James Rapp, Austin, TX. Larry also leaves behind Former Spouse Anne Berg, Golden Valley, MN. Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Gwendolyn S. Berg on October 2, 2004. Vicki graduated from Logan High School in La Crosse, WI in 1973 and continued on with her education receiving her degrees in Nursing and Nurse Anesthetist. Vicki ventured into teaching in the same field so she could pass on her passion for helping people to others. In the last year, Vicki had worked at several medical facilities around the country through her company Vital Anesthesia Services, which she founded. Vicki was born on September 20, 1955, in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Kenneth and Ardell M. Garves. She is survived by her father, Kenneth Garves and her brother, Daniel and Wife Bobbi Garves. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ardell Garves on April 16, 2006. Both Larry and Vicki will be deeply missed by their family, friends, and all those whose lives they touched along the way. Please join us to celebrate their passion for life at a gathering of friends and family. A joint memorial visitation will be held Friday, February 6, 2009, 2:00 pm with a gathering one hour prior to the service, at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, at 2800 Curve Crest Blvd, (NW corner of Hwy 36 & Co. Rd. 5) Stillwater, MN.