Madelyn Marie (Kaltenhauser) Berg passed away August 28, 2011 at Silver Seasons Assisted Living in Rush City, Minnesota at the age of 96 years.
She was born May 6, 1915 in North Branch, Minnesota to William and Louise (Dahlman) Kaltenhauser. Madelyn was the fourth born of their eight children, the others being Harold, Kathryn, Ethelwyn, Chet, Delphine, Kenneth, and George.
While she was still very young, Madelyn moved with her family to Hinckley, Minnesota. She graduated Hinckley High School and then attended Normal Training & College at St. Cloud, Minnesota to become a teacher. She taught rural schools and received high praise and reports from the county superintendent. She was also honored by past students from the school in the Karmel community.
Madelyn loved music and dancing and attended dances as often as she could. She met the love of her life, Paul E. Berg, while teaching at Karmel but was shocked to learn that he did not dance. However, he was able to roller skate and they did have many good times at Spectacle Lake. Their first date was the result of a quarter bet by Paul’s buddies that he wouldn’t ask the cute teacher out. In fact, he asked her out while standing on the steps of the church where they now both rest. Paul served in the United States Army during World War II, and Madelyn moved to the Twin Cities to live and work. Upon his return they continued to make their home in the Spring Lake Park and Fridley areas. They enjoyed going to their cabin near Nisswa on weekends with their two poodle buddies, Mimi and Sanford. Following their retirement, they moved to Lindstrom, Minnesota to again enjoy small town living. They enjoyed winters in Arizona where they made many friends.
Following Paul’s death in October of 1996, Madelyn continued to live in Lindstrom until May of 2007 when she entered Comforts of Home in North Branch. She later moved to the Villages of North Branch and spent many happy times there with her brother, George. In August 2010, she moved to Silver Seasons Assisted Living in Rush City.
Madelyn is survived by her sister Delphine Monroe of Long Lake, MN, sister-in-law Gladys Kaltenhauser of Lindstrom; nieces: Jill Hegg of Rush City, MN, Kathy (Jack) Anderson of Braham, MN, Dorene (Bob) Berlien of Orr, MN, Doretta Heckman of Montgomery, MN, Linda (Dave) Kavitz of Illinois, Laura (Dean) Sulander of Mound, MN, Roxanne (Jim) Monroe of Long Lake,MN, Audrey Larson of Columbia Heights, MN, Juanita (John) Vaala of Elk River, MN, Diane (Carl) Bergstrom of Bock, MN, Kathleen (Ronald) Platzer of AK; nephews: Mike Kaltenhauser of Wyoming, MN, Harold (Susan) Kaltenhauser of Minneapolis, MN, Jerry (Beth) Kaltenhauser of CO, Ken (Judy) Kaltenhauser of Lindstrom, MN, Gib (Kay Ellen) Ahlstrand of Minneapolis, MN, Dennis (Sharon) Larson of Pillager, MN, Donovan (Myrt) Larson of Stanchfield, MN, James (Diane) Berg of Stark, MN, Richard Berg of Wyanette Township, MN, Mark (Ann) Berg of Kentucky. Also surviving are many great and great great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Madelyn was preceded in death by her parents William & Louise Kaltenhauser, her husband Paul Berg, siblings Harold Kaltenhauser, Kathryn Ahlstrand, Ethelwyn Kaltenhauser, Chet Kaltenhauser, Kenneth Kaltenhauser, George Kaltenhauser; niece Susan Rosenthal, nephew Allen Berg, great great nephew Jared Hegg and her two poodle darlings Mimi and Sanford.
Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Karmel Covenant Church in Wyanett township, Minnesota with the Reverend Wendell Johnson officiating. Music was provided by the duet of Harley and Yvonne Olson accompanied by pianist Tammy Olson. Casket bearers included Joe Hegg, Ken Kaltenhauser, Jack Anderson, Mike Kaltenhauser, Harold Kaltenhauser, Donovan Larson, and James Berg with the interment in the church cemetery.
Memorials are preferred to the Chisago County Humane Society.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, of Rush City, Minnesota. www.funeralandcremationservice.com