The world became a little better on May 31, 1948, when Sharleen Kay Berg was born at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minn., the first daughter of Glenn and Dorothy (Branderdt) Boll. She became the little sister to three older brothers, Donald, Roland and Dennis, and would become big sister to Emilie.
Shar’s faith foundation was established at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian, Minn., where she was baptized and confirmed. Her faith was fed in Sunday school, vacation Bible school, confirmation instruction, summer Bible camps and youth activities.
Shar grew up on the family farm in rural Lake Lillian and began her life-long passion for learning and education in the one room country school, district 43, rural Lake Lillian then continuing through the eighth grade in Lake Lillian. She graduated from Atwater High School in 1966.
In high school she was a member of the National Honor Society, the choir, Future Home Makers of America and co-editor of the high school annual. Shar was actively involved in her 4-H club winning multiple awards for her clothing, baking and food projects.
Upon graduation from high school, Shar enrolled at the University of Minnesota College of home economics where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of her studies, she was hired by the University of Minnesota Extension service and moved to Rock County, Minn., where she was the extension agent specializing in youth and family development.
During her career she received national recognition for her work on programs she developed and implemented. She introduced a program to the county entitled “Families Forever” working with families going through divorce, educating parents that while the marriage was ending, the responsibility as parenting never ended. She was always a willing mentor to new agents entering the field of extension with support and encouragement.
During the late 70s she introduced a program entitled “Know Your Community” where she worked with the Luverne Chamber of Commerce. The president of the Chamber, at the time, was a single dad with custody of three young boys. That program resulted in taking her work from the academic world to the reality of practicality.
On July 15, 1979, she was united in marriage to Rolf Berg at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minn. The boys were quoted as saying “mom married us, and dad just came along as part of the package.” She thoroughly invested herself in “her” boys – mentoring, encouraging, and supporting them in their development. When each of them left home she had her moments of heart wrenching tears of separation. Whether it was the box of Lucky Charms on the end cap at the grocery store, the final wave on the jet way to Germany, or the one final solo of the trap set, she could not withhold her love as it poured out through her tears.
As a two-time breast cancer survivor she was quick to be ready to talk with and support women who were dealing with the same issues. She was there ready to encourage and support a fellow breast cancer survivor.
Shar was involved as a member of Grace Lutheran in Luverne, organizing an early morning Bible study for working women, singing in the choir and serving on the church council.
In 1997, she made a career change following Rolf to Sherman/Denison, Texas, where she became involved in the Culligan Water Conditioning business. She took on the role of office manager and functioned in that position for 25 years.
Leaving Minnesota and all that was familiar, Shar became active at Trinity Lutheran church in Sherman. She was interested in the woman’s organization and became involved on the conference and synodical levels. She served six years on the board for the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana synod, serving two years as its secretary. Her kindness showed boldly through her beautiful welcoming smile and sweet voice. She was instrumental in all phases of planning retreats and conventions for many years. She loved being surrounded by all the ladies at their gathers, sharing stories of family and faith. She was instrumental in encouraging women to attend the national tri-annual conventions. She personally attended national conventions in San Antonio, Spokane and Minneapolis. Always the mentor, she encouraged friends to take on leadership roles. Her efforts resulted in more ladies from Trinity attending Triennial events than any other congregation in the synod.
In 2021, it became apparent she was forgetting things and occasionally confusing matters. After evaluation the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was confirmed. On Feb. 10, 2026, she was admitted to The Homestead memory care unit in Denison, Texas. She was released into the arms of her loving savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 25, 2026.
Left to cherish her memories are her husband Rolf, sons Eric and friend Norah Long of Minneapolis, Minn., Peder of London, UK, Leif and friend Bea Barnholdt of Maple Grove, Minn., and special Texas “adoptive family” Andy, Jane, Sarah and Axel Carr of Sherman, Texas. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Kramer Berg and wife Ashely of Rogers, Minn., Ivy Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah, Piper and Lyra Berg of London, UK, Alex and Madeline Berg of Maple Grove, Minn., and three great-granddaughters Charlie and Payton Berg and Esther Rosenzweig. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers Donald Boll and wife Barb of Lake Lillia, Minn., Roland Boll and wife Judy of Willmar, Minn., sister, Emilie Mikes and husband Terry of Willmar, Minn., and sister-in-law Lynne Boll of Seattle, Wash., as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dennis Boll.
Her ashes will be laid to rest at Waverly Lutheran Cemetery in rural Trimont, Minn. God bless the memory of Sharleen Kay Berg.
Shar’s service will be livestreamed at TLC-Sherman, org.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to: Women of the ELCA, ELCA Gift Processing Center, PO Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009.
