LaVern G. Berg

LaVern Gail Berg, “little girl from the prairie” in North Dakota, returned to Our Lord on July 30, 2025. Born to William and Betty Kastner at a mid-wife’s home in Garrison on March 28, 1931 and then grew up in their 2-room farmhouse during the Great Depression. She had 2 wonderful brothers, Myron and Ronald. As a young girl, she rode her mare named “Buck” to the one-room schoolhouse in Emmet, ND and tied her up at school during school hours. She helped clear rocks from their family farm land, and ran tractors when the men were away at war. She lost her dear mother suddenly at age 14. She eventually moved to the nearby town of Garrison to attend high school, living with her grandmother until she died, and then worked for room and board for a kind woman who owned a café. After high school graduation in 1949, she moved to California to marry Kenneth Berg, also from ND, who was a solid man with strong Christian values. They raised a family of 6 children. The happiest times of her life were being with her children. Many summers were full of picking, canning and freezing fruit as a family. She was not only a mother to her own children, but also to many needing motherly compassion, concern and advice. She loved hosting parties for friends and family to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries or just to socialize. LaVern’s Catholic faith has always brought her through the most difficult of times. Since her teens, her Parish Priests, the Dominican Sisters and the Christian Brothers have provided tremendous support for her and her family. In Sacramento, she was President of the PTG at Our Lady of Grace Church. In Napa, she was a founding member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, where she co-chaired the Bereavement Committee for many years, was involved in numerous Church activities including the Altar Guild, spear-headed the production of the church cookbook, and raised funds through hundreds of bake sales, and large-volume homemade pie and enchilada sales. Her Apple and Rhubarb pies were best-sellers. She was an active member of the YLI (Young Ladies Institute) since the 1990’s, helped them raise money for scholarships thru more bake sales, and also received their YLI Woman of the Year Award. She loved cooking large volumes of delicious food from home for the Presbyterian Church and The Agape Program for the homeless and less fortunate of God’s children until she couldn’t anymore. During her working years, LaVern worked for Dr. Milton Miller, Dr. Warren Seibert and the California Veterans Home Pharmacy. She loved her jobs and the many wonderful bosses, supervisors and co-workers and kept in touch with as many as possible after she retired. She even found time eventually for classes at Napa Junior College. She will be remembered by many as a wonderful, passionate woman who loved the Lord with all her heart, someone who touched the hearts of so many with her beautiful smile, acts of kindness and generosity. LaVern grew up playing cards, especially Whist. When she could finally carve out the time, she learned to play Bridge in her early 40’s. She became a very accomplished player and dearly loved this game. She also taught Bridge for 25 years. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth, her brother Myron, her sons Rodney (2022) and Martin (2023) and great-grandson Timothy Tyler Berg. She is survived by: younger brother Ronald Kastner of Arizona; daughters Cynthia Stiely (John) of Delaware, Ohio, and Betty Berg of Sonoma, CA; sons Randy J. (Karen) Berg of Soldotna, Alaska, Timothy R. Berg (Carol) of Napa and Soldotna and daughter-in-law Christy Berg of Soldotna; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Providence Hospice at 414 South Jefferson Street, Napa, CA 94559, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2725 Elm St, Napa, CA 94558, Molly’s Angels, 433 Soscol Ave #100 Napa, CA 94559 and Salvation Army. Viewing and Rosary Service will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 10 AM at Claffey & Rota Funeral Home at 1975 Main St., Napa. At 1:00 PM, following the Rosary, a Catholic Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2725 Elm Street, Napa. A Reception will follow at the Church Hall. On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, family members will attend LaVern’s Burial at Tulocay Cemetery at 10:00 AM.

LaVern G. Berg

March 28, 1931 - July 30, 2025

Navigation

Contact Us

LaVern G. Berg

March 28, 1931 - July 30, 2025

Obituary Notification

Navigation

Contact Us