Margaret Barbara Berg

Margaret Barbara (nee Weiss) Berg, 95, of Deer Park, Illinois, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Margaret was born in Rosendale, Wisconsin on March 11, 1931, to parents Albert and Hedwig (nee Ulmer) Weiss. She was the youngest of 3 siblings growing up on a farm. From her parents she learned effective work skills including caring for farm animals, working in the fields and garden to plant and harvest crops, and assisting her mother in food preparation for the farmhands. She enjoyed sharing the story of learning to drive a tractor at the age of 11.

Margaret graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She went on to design a new Home Economics Dept and provide field supervision of students from the University of Wisconsin. She then taught Home Economics in the Milwaukee Public School System for 28 years. In that position she was proud of the fact that she was also asked to develop and teach the first course in sex-education for junior high students which was well received.

Margaret was involved in church her entire life. As a child she sang in the church choir and participated in the youth group. It was at church that she first met her future husband, Bruce, when they were 10 years old. Bruce and Margaret were married in 1955. He served as a parish pastor for over 6 years and Margaret provided leadership in a number of activities at his churches. Following Bruce’s career change to Social Work, Margaret remained heavily involved in their church, focusing on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable both locally and globally.

Margaret and Bruce had 3 children whom they raised in Shorewood, Wisconsin. They were involved and loving parents and they passed that love on to their 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Margaret spent countless hours creating activities, playing games, and having tea parties with all the kids. She was also an excellent cook and was known by her children for the creative, decorative birthday cakes that she designed.

Margaret and Bruce were married for 71 years and enjoyed each other’s company throughout those years. They laughed frequently and shared many interests. Music was central to their lives; they loved entertaining and biking throughout Wisconsin. They played tennis for years and taught their children how to play. When their kids were young, the family took several trips across the U.S. and spent weeks camping in State and National Parks and seeing the country. In addition, as a couple, they made several trips to Europe where they especially enjoyed traveling by land and cruise ship.

After moving to an Independent Living facility in Milwaukee in their later years, Margaret remained very active and involved. At East Castle Place, she participated in art, poetry, and memoir writing classes and helped found a re-sale shop that donated all of its proceeds to scholarships for the facility’s staff members. Later she moved to Illinois near family and lived at Deer Park Senior Living. She found a very active and caring community there. She helped with an annual art show and led memoir writing classes.

Margaret was caring, fun, independent, creative, giving, organized, and interested in learning. She was excellent at setting and accomplishing goals. She was beloved by her whole family including her 9 nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

Margaret is survived by her beloved husband Bruce Berg, her children, Julie (Rick) Stumpf, Peter (Lisa) Berg, and Barbara (Jeff) McClintock, her grandchildren, Dan (Amy) Stumpf, Sarah Stumpf, Stefan Berg, Emma Berg, Katie McClintock, and Ryan McClintock, and her great grandchildren, June and Annie.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Gary Weiss and Lois Will.

Donations can be made in Margaret’s name to the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation.