William "Bill" Berkland

Birth date: Jan 17, 1940 Death date: Jun 2, 2011

William "Bill" Berkland, age 71, of Ames, died Thursday June 2, 2011 of complications from Alzheimer disease at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and son by his side. A gathering of friends and famil Read Obituary

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Deirdre Cox Baker

789w ago

I so enjoyed working with Bill during my college years, 1976-1980. We were in Morrill Hall on the ISU campus, and he was a kind, kind boss. I am sorry for your loss, Melva and Ross.

Carol (Johnson) Waltmann

790w ago

I remember Bill as the cousin who always had a big smile when I saw him. Our families used to spend much time together when we were growing up on our farms near Depew.

Timothy Grandon

790w ago

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Marie Mayer

790w ago

Melva --

So sorry to hear of Bill's death. Our paths crossed for many years at Iowa State. He will be missed.

Denise Lovig

791w ago

Melva and family,
I was so sad to hear about Bill's passing away.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Andrew Sage

791w ago

Ross,
your dad was a terrific man. It was an honor to have known him.

Jim Jacobson

791w ago

To the Family of Bill Berkland
For many years I have not seen or talked to Bill very much. As a youngster I did see him often at church, and when I started going to the Cylinder School, I saw him more often. The last several years I saw him at a few Family Reunions. Bill was my second cousin and one year older then me. I will always remember how studious he was. I remember in high school that he would often read encyclopedias and dictionaries during study halls. I really didn't know that he had Alzheimers Disease. My sympathy and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Ruth Oleson

791w ago

Was sorry to hear of Bills passing, but he is in a better place now. I remember all the good times our children had with Ruebens family growing up. Spent a lot of sunday afernoons at his house those long years ago. /would like to have come to his celebration of life but to far. He did such a great job on the Berkland history and I refer to it many times. Thinking of you and you take care.

Dave Shaver

791w ago

Peace, prayers and blessings across the miles. I deeply appreciate Bill's great leadership and caring in my 4-H club. Dave Shaver (AHS class of 1984; now living in Frisco, TX)

Diana Pals

791w ago

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dear Melva, Ross, and Berkland siblings,

I was so sad to hear abut Bill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s death and that I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come from Idaho to share his memorial service with you. Please know I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be there at Bethesda with you in spirit.

It feels nice to know that you will celebrate his life in that beautiful church where Doug and I were members for 5 years. It has such an incredible caring spirit and a good

amount of love and respect for Norwegians! Since Bill loved our heritage, I feel at peace that the Lutherans there will honor that part of his life.

I can just see him helping with the Lefse for the Scandinavian Tea which we enjoyed so much in our time there. I am sure Bill loved that part of Bethesda.

I, too, feel the loss with you all. It feels like our Berkland Historian and Photographer is lost. What a wonderful contribution he made to our family heritage with his work and organizing the Berkland 2000 reunion.

That reunion was a powerful connection with all our roots. We brought Stella Oleson to one of the reunions and enjoyed Richard & Lillian Oleson & family there so much. Their daughter, Richelle, said it best.,\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the first time I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been comfortable with my cheeks\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Really it was wonderful to meet and greet there and feel our commonalities in family; and faith.

Personally, I appreciated so much that as a college student at ISU, Bill & Melva used to regularly take me to Tony\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Little Italy for pizza on Sunday nights when there was no meal at the residence hall. Being a poor college student, that pizza tasted so-o-o-o good and the conversation always felt like a piece of home. When we lived in Ames later, while Doug was getting his PhD, Bill and Melva were my go to resource for everything from churches to 4-H to recipes to car mechanics. I warmly remember that wonderful feeling of someone I could trust without question!!

Berkland siblings, now know you feel the loss of a sibling. It surprised me that it felt like losing an appendage. I can only say, God Speed to Bill and know that we will meet again on the other side of heaven.

Perhaps it will be like a grand family reunion where we will all laugh and talk and worship and come to understand God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plan in a new way.

My Love to all of You,

Diana (Berkland) Pals and also Doug

Diana Pals

791w ago

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dear Melva, Ross, and Berkland siblings,

It feels nice to know that you will celebrate his life in that beautiful church where Doug and I were members for 5 years. It has such an incredible caring spirit and a good

amount of love and respect for Norwegians! Since Bill loved our heritage, I feel at peace that the Lutherans there will honor that part of his life.

I can just see him helping with the Lefse for the Scandinavian Tea which we enjoyed so much in our time there. I am sure Bill loved that part of Bethesda.

Perhaps it will be like a grand family reunion where we will all laugh and talk and worship and come to understand God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s plan in a new way.

My Love to all of You,

Diana (Berkland) Pals and also Doug

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