Peggy Ann Berge

Peggy Ann Berge, age 65, of Colton, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Life, Peg-style, will begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Taopi Hall in Colton.

Peggy Ann (Ziemer) Berge was born August 31, 1959, to Delmer and Nancy Ziemer in Fergus Falls, MN. Peg was born in the middle of a heat wave and from day one, she never met a hot day she didn’t love. Peg loved the outdoors- whether it was hiking, fishing, gardening or riding on the back of the bike- but only if it was above 80 degrees. She knew every bug there ever was and even found clever ways to deter them from her garden and could grow anything you could imagine.

Peg was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jeff Berge, on May 12, 1984. They spent over 40 amazing years adventuring together, creating a cat haven, and rearing 3 hilarious children (as the children see it) while trying to maintain sanity, peace, and a ton of fun. Nine grandchildren would soon come along as well as one great grandson adding lots of love, laughs, and crazy staycations.

Peg spent a great many years working at Berge’s Store where she was blessed to get to know the wonderful people of Colton. She also spent 35 years working at Buffalo Trading Post where she grew a large following for her tacos as well as growing her friends and family circle exponentially. She added Big J’s Roadhouse to her last 9 years of working and added more friends and family into her orbit. She enjoyed so much the many friends she had throughout her life, and they were truly a part of her heart.

After 21 months of fighting like a true warrior, Peg succumbed peacefully to cancer on February 4, 2025, at the young age of 65. She spent her last hours surrounded by her family and with a heart full of love. During her hard-fought battle, she was shown such extreme kindness and generosity by everyone she knew. Neither she nor her family could ever adequately express the gratitude they all shared to all those who supported her and her family during this time.

Peg is survived by her loving husband, Jeff (Colton); her parents Del and Nancy Ziemer (Sioux Falls); her children: Chandra (Justin) Berge (Huron), Lindsey Beauchene (Sioux Falls), and Zak Berge (Madison); her 9 grandchildren: Jade (Austin) Gilchrist, Brent (Marinda) Anderson, Caiden Anderson, Madisyn Ovre, Ashton Ovre, Haley Swanson, Jasmine Swanson, Taryn Broekemeier, and Chasney Berge; her great-grandson Radec Gilchrist; and her brothers: Mike (Margaret) Ziemer, Terry (Candace) Ziemer, and Paul Drummer; as well as her mother and father-in-law Monte and Joey Berge; and sister-in-law, Jill (Dave) Gelderman, and sister-in-law, Robin Ziemer; and several nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many close friends, and she cherished them all. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Elmer and Gladys Ziemer and Harry and Beatrice Wold, and her brother David Ziemer.