Timothy Berger

Timothy Allen Berger, age 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jume 26, 2026, at the Bayside Manor Senior Living Facility in Gaylord, MN, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Tim was a man with a giant heart, a vibrant spirit, and a deep-seated desire to bring joy to those around him. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00AM, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (504 7th Ave NW) in Arlington with visitations from 10:00 to 10:55AM. Burial will be in the Arlington Catholic cemetery.

Tim was born on January 19th, 1954, the third child of Roy and Catherine (Doheny) Berger. In 1956, the Berger family moved from Green Isle to a farm north of Henderson, where Tim spent many years helping his father with the farm work. He attended Henderson Public Schools before pursuing his passions at several trade schools, where he learned culinary arts and gardening skills. While living in the Twin Cities, Tim proudly put those skills into working at Jacks Café (23rd and University) and Halifax Green House. He later returned to the area and worked for many years as a skilled painter at Bongards Creamery.

As a self-employed businessman, Tim was a Jack-of-all-trades. Armed with a yellow boom truck, he offered driveway seal coating, carpet cleaning, and tree trimming. His absolute favorite work was painting the interiors and exteriors of many houses, restaurants, barns, and buildings. Later in life, when health challenges forced him to step back from his business, Tim continued to use his energy to help local people, driving them to appointments, running groceries, and forming deep, lasting friendships.

Tim lived life with a unique intensity, born in an era before neurodivergence and mental health struggles were openly understood or supported. Tim faced lifelong internal battles that often made navigating the world difficult for him and those around him. Despite these heavy, invisible burdens, Tim’s true essence was defined by his extraordinary generosity. He loved to plan a party, celebrate life, and give everything he had to others.

As an avid collector, Tim filled his life with things that brought him joy, including an impressive collection of over 150 cookie jars, outdoor lanterns, and antique furniture. He loved the energy of the Arlington Fair, Christmas events and family reunions. He was happiest surrounded by friends, family, and his beloved bird, Scully. Tim claimed that Scully could predict rain and snow with perfect accuracy. Tim was also a passionate gardener, famous for his huge raspberry patch and his joy in giving away quarts of fresh berries and tomatoes.

In the final chapters of his life, Tim faced severe health challenges, including battles with kidney cancer, prostate cancer, gout, broken bones in his feet, and congestive heart failure. Throughout his life, Tim’s fierce desire for independence often made it hard for him to accept help, but in his final weeks, he found a profound, transformative peace. Following a powerful, face-to-face spiritual encounter with Jesus on Good Friday, Tim experienced a beautiful awakening of true forgiveness – both in extending it to others and seeking it for himself. He entered hospice care on May 28th with a lightened heart, comforted by his lifelong faith and a beautiful Celebration of Life on May 31, surrounded by those who loved him. Tim wanted anyone, who is currently struggling in life, to know that God is there for them.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Catherine Berger, his older brother, Joseph Berger and his sister-in-law Jean (Nitzkowski) Berger. He is survived by his brother, Don Berger of Saint Cloud; his sister, Mary Melser of Coon Rapids; his siter-in-law, Mary Berger of Henderson; and many extended family members, neighbors, and lifelong friends who loved him through every season of his life.