To love and be loved is the greatest accomplishment anyone can ask for.

Ron Berg, 81, passed away on June 9, 2026, after a long and difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other health challenges.

A celebration of life will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A private committal service will be held the day before, Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

Born on February 11, 1945, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Ron built a life defined by family, hard work, kindness, and enduring love.

As a young man, Ron met the love of his life, Marty, one evening while at work and from that moment, he knew. Though Marty later moved to Florida, Ron continued courting her through letters until she returned to Wisconsin. They married shortly thereafter, beginning a partnership that would span 57 years and serve as an example of love and devotion to everyone who knew them.

Ron served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany. During those years overseas, he and Marty welcomed their first son, Lance. Three years later, their second son, Ryan, was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Over the years, the family made homes in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota before eventually returning to Iowa.

Following his military service, Ron sold cars before spending most of his career in farm machinery sales. He earned the respect of coworkers and customers alike through his integrity, reliability, good humor, and willingness to help others. He led by example and believed in treating people fairly.

Family was central to everything. He always lit up at the chance to hang out with his whole “fam damily,” and he found his greatest joy in being surrounded by the people he loved. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and an adoring Pappa.

Ron found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: family gatherings, Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers games (although he rarely knew how they ended because he turned the channel in frustration), conversations with friends, and singing along to Ronnie Milsap and Elvis Presley — and he had a wonderful voice to match. He had a gift for striking up conversations with strangers and making people feel comfortable. He had the spirit of an old curmudgeon long before he was old enough to be a curmudgeon, but he also had a warm smile, full laugh, and welcoming nature.

Selling farm machinery kept Ron on the road during the week, but weekends were devoted to home and family. He took pride in caring for his home, tackling chores, and keeping things in order. His familiar reminder that “cleanliness is next to godliness” became a lasting refrain.

Ron faced every challenge with determination. Diabetes, heart surgery, back surgery, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia tested him for many years, yet he continued to meet each day with resilience and courage and a steadfast devotion to Marty.

Along with his immediate family, Ron leaves behind loving siblings, extended family members, dear friends, former coworkers, and countless others whose lives were enriched by his kindness, humor, and steady presence.

Ron was a good and simple man who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Marty; sons, Lance and Ryan; daughter-in-law, Mary; grandchildren, Emma and Addison; and four cherished grand fur babies, Baylee, River, Jack, and Cooper.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Joan Berg; his brother, Steve; and his sister, Debra.

Celebration of Life

Sep

19

Memorial Services of Iowa

4208 North Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM