Joseph S. Berger, Jr.

Joseph S. Berger, Jr., 79, of Fond du Lac, died Friday, May 28, 2010, at home.Joe Berger spent his lifetime in community development. To say he was a driving force in the growth of Fond du Lac would be an understatement. Born in Canton Ohio on September 11, 1930, and spending the next 7 years in various cities throughout the Midwest, Joe arrived in Fond du Lac with his parents, Joe Sr. and Helen, during the height of the depression. Joe’s first retail venture was selling produce door to door from his Radio Flyer wagon. His parents were busy establishing the foundations for what would become the premier women’s fashion shops in the Midwest. Berger’s and Elliot’s in downtown Fond du Lac would prove to be only a prelude to the things to come for Joe.Joe attended Jefferson School, and became life-long friends with Jack Kelly and Mike “Don” Moore. The 9th street gang was often found hanging around the YMCA shooting baskets.Joe Attended St John’s Military Academy in Delafield, WI, for his High School years (Class of 1948), but still was included in the Goodrich Reunions because of the strong friendships he had forged. Joseph went on to earn a Bachelor in Business at the University of Wisconsin Madison (1952). During his college years, he enlisted in the Naval ROTC Program and resided at the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity House. There he developed the friendships that would become a support system lasting a lifetime.Following college, Joe proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Daly DD-519; he earned the rank of Lieutenant JG. Traveling around the world, the seeds of passion for travel took root. His fellow shipmates became some of his most loyal supporters as Joe battled Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos. Upon his return from the Navy, Joe joined his parents in their growing women’s apparel business, helping establish stores in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. Joe invested not only his strong business skills in each of the stores, but became a part of the community through chairing the United Way for many years, organizing Blood Banks with the Red Cross, and fund raising for numerous causes and organizations in the community of Fond du Lac. Joe often recounted selling fruitcakes door to door for the Jaycees during a horrid winter blizzard, as an example of total dedication to the cause. Joe Berger never did anything half way!Joe was also one of the founding board members of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation. In 1999 the FDAF awarded him the Legacy Award for outstanding commitment to the community of Fond du Lac.Joe and his father Joe Sr. worked tirelessly to convince legislators of the need for a two year UW campus in Fond du Lac. This dream of accessible education here in the community was accomplished. Joe served on the Board of Visitors for many years acting as a liaison to the Madison Campus.Joe was also a member of a wide array of community and state wide organizations and served each with the Berger style of commitment, and dedication. Joe lived by the Rotary Club tenant of “Service Above Self”. In addition to the Noon Rotary Club he was a member of: Bascom Hill Society, Wisconsin Gridiron Club, Wisconsin Business Alumni, Temple Beth Israel, B’nai B’rith, South Hills Country Club, Elks Lodge #57, American Legion Post 0075, Tin Can Sailors Inc., Navy League of the USA., VFW Post 1904, Fond du Lac Historical Society, Ducks Unlimited, Wisconsin Waterfowlers, and EAA.In the early 70’s the Bergers began work on the west side of Fond du Lac. A new highway, and new retail opportunities were on the horizon. Joe and his father embarked on their most ambitious project ever, Forest Mall, with Simon and Associates as well as Forest Plaza, the Forest Manor subdivision and Forest Manor Apartments. With the opening of Bergers at Forest Mall, their dream was coming true. Carrying the top labels in Women’s apparel, it became “the place where smart women shop”On August 11, 1988 Joe ventured into the most serious partnership of his life. He married the love of his life, Judith Otten Arends, at the Churchill Inn in Door County. In 1993 Joe retired from the retail business, and joined his wife in designing, planning and escorting group travel programs for Discovery World Travel/Travel Leaders of Fond du Lac. Over the next 19 years, the Bergers escorted over 12,000 passengers on trips to the far corners of the world. No group tour was complete without the wit and knowledge that Joe brought to the adventure. His passion for travel was contagious. Anyone traveling with them felt their love for each other, as they side by side drew the guests into the magical foreign dream come true trips. From strolling the beaches of Playa del Carmen to blowing bubbles at the top of the Eiffel Tower, their passion for each other and travel permeated the groups.For the last five years Joe has valiantly fought the deadly disease, caused by exposure to asbestos, Mesothelioma. The research team at the University of Chicago was responsible for extending his life. Joe was one of the longest survivors of this disease in the country.Joe is survived by his wife, Judith; two step-sons: Gregg Arends and Calvin Yeung, both of Irvine, CA; his mother-in-law: Verda Otten of Sheboygan; three sisters-in-law: Nancy Otten of Sheboygan, Susan (Francesco) Milana of Jacksonville, FL, and Karen (Steve) Schievelbein of Annapolis, MD; two brothers-in-law: Mark Otten ofShrewsbury, NJ, and Thomas Otten of Rochester, MN; nieces and nephews: Cassandra Otten, Zach Otten, and Jason Otten.He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph S. Berger, Sr.; his mother, Helen Nussbaum Berger; a brother, Donald Berger; a step-son, Douglas Arends; and his father-in-law, Henry Otten.Mourning with Judith and Gregg, as family, will also be: Harold and Joyce Cohen, William and Penny Werner, Richard and Marilyn Zangl, Arthur and Claudia Hintz, Steven and Catherine Jones, and Charles and Prudy Birringer, and young people who have been mentored by Joe, Georgianne Jones, Monica Develice, Wyatt and Zach Zangl, and Jessica Werner.The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday June 3, 2010, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, followed by a graveside service at 4:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Israel Section of Rienzi Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Joe’s request, donations may be made to The Berger Family Fund, established within the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, to enhance the community of Fond du Lac.The family wishes to thank the hundreds of friends who have stood by, supported, laughed with, cried with, and followed “Joe’s Journey” during this half decade. May your lives be enhanced by knowing this wonderful man. May your own personal journey be easier because of what you have learned. May you always remember his smile, his wit, and his advice to you.

Joseph S. Berger, Jr.

September 11, 1930 - May 28, 2010