Denny Berg was born on July 23, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas. He grew up in Ballard and graduated from Ballard High School in 1960. After this, he enlisted in the Navy.
Upon discharge he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill. He was a member of the Men’s Glee Club and the Moody Chorale. He spent his summers as a counselor at Camp Firwood on Lake Whatcom in Bellingham where he met the girl he would later marry.
He eventually left Chicago to return to Seattle where he could be near Susie and work up the courage to ask her to marry him.
“Toot” and “Zip,” as they were known at Camp Firwood, were married at The Firs Chapel on Jan. 3, 1970. During their first years of marriage they lived in Seattle and Lynnwood where Denny served as youth pastor at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church and they both were volunteer leaders of the Meadowdale High School Young Life Club. At the same time, Denny attended the University of Washington where he majored in psychology.
Joshua was born to Denny and Susie in 1973, and was joined by Summer Jo in 1976. They bought their first home in Vancouver, Wash., for $9,000. Denny remodeled every inch of it, from roof to crawlspace.
Desiring to live closer to both sets of grandparents, they moved to Whidbey Island in 1978 and lived here for 28 years. Purchasing another fixer-upper, Denny got more practice with hammer and nails. This was a happy home for the Bergs, full of laughter, friends and music. Denny helped form a Southern Gospel quartet at the Langley Alliance Church. This was a dream come true; the quartet’s music was loved by many.
He earned a computer science degree at North Seattle Community College. He worked as the data processing manager at Whidbey Telephone Company for 15 years and later as a carrier access billing analyst at T-Mobile in Bellevue.
Denny and Susie enjoyed their empty nest years, actively involved in the music ministry at Overlake Christian Church and as adult committee members of Whidbey Island Young Life. They made numerous journeys to the Oregon coast, their favorite place to travel as a couple. Some of Denny’s happiest moments were spent with his amazing granddaughters, Maddie Jo and Ellie Jo.
Denny passed away on Nov. 24 in Kirkland, after his family gathered by his side and had a chance to say good-bye to him. He is survived by his mother, Jean Berg; his sister and her husband, Andrea and Mick Robinson; his wife Susie; his son Joshua, his daughter and her husband, Summer Jo and John Nowicki; and his two granddaughters.
There could never be a more wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son and friend than Denny. He will be missed by all who knew him and it can truly be said that he made a difference in every life he touched. He lived life with humor and enthusiasm. He fought a valiant battle against cancer to the end, and we know without a doubt he was ready to meet his Maker, his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 NE Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish.
Remembrances may be made in Denny’s name to TEAM, designated for Lynne Hawkins and House of Hope. House of Hope, in Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa is a home for girls who are rescued from their desperate lives on the street. Send to: TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, Ill., 60189-0969.
