Orlin Gerhard Berge

Orlin Gerhard Berge, age 81, of Colton, died on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Dells Area Health Center in Dell Rapids. Funeral services will begin at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Colton. Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday, with the family present from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Colton.


Orlin was born on February 10, 1929 on the family homestead near Colton to Andrew and Boletta (Myre) Berge. He attended country school and graduated from Colton High School in 1947. He attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls for two years and then began teaching in Watertown. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge as a Staff Sergeant in 1953, Orlin returned to Augustana and continued his education. He then began a life long career in teaching. He taught mathematics in Sheldon, Iowa from 1955-59 and then at Sioux Falls Edison Middle School for the next 32 years. He retired in 1991.


Orlin was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Colton, Lion’s Club, Colton American Legion, Colton Senior Citizens, National Teacher’s Association, Sioux Falls Area Teacher’s Association, and the South Dakota State Teacher’s Association.


Grateful for having shared his life are numerous cousins and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and brothers: Leslie and Arlie.