Martin Berk

Martin A. Berk, 88, of Horicon passed on to his heavenly home on Saturday, September 6, 2014. A “celebration of life” service will be held Saturday, September 20 at St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Horicon, with memorial visitation from 10:30 am – 2 pm, celebration service at 12 pm, followed by luncheon. Martin was born to Adolph C. and Dorothea (Meier) Berk in Lawton, Oklahoma. He served in the US Army and graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was united in marriage with Patricia Penington in 1952. Martin worked for John Deere as an engineer. In 1963, he moved with his family to Horicon where he worked at Deere on the development of the John Deere 110 Lawn and Garden Tractor, snowmobiles, and other products. Martin enjoyed helping other people and was very active in church and many civic organizations which included serving on the boards of Beaver Dam Community Hospital and Mental Health Association Dodge County, Rotary Club, Central States Rotary International Youth Exchange Program, Boy Scouts, American Legion, Society of Automotive Engineers, and Horicon Historical Society. He was a member of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church. Martin touched many lives around the world through his generosity and philanthropic endeavors. Survivors are his children, Tamara (Jan) Karlstrand of Cottage Grove, MN, Marcia (Ben) Fox of Jacksonville, FL, and Robert Berk of Seal Beach, CA; grandchildren Erik Steffen, Allison Karlstrand, Peter Karlstrand and Tom Karlstrand; brother Richard (Norma) Berk of Melbourne, FL, sister Ruth Anderson of Cary, NC; sister in laws Ruth Williams of Austin, TX, and Norma Danner of Macomb, IL; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; son, John Berk; and brother, Tex Williams. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a charity of your choice or St. Stephen Evan. Lutheran Church. The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 North Crystal Lake Road, in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave condolences, for directions or other information please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com .