Obituary of Brian Calvin Alton Berg

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Brian Berg, at the age of 76, on November 7, 2025.

Brian was a charismatic man who carried his heart on his sleeve. Born and raised on the family farm, the second of four children to Leonard and Bernice Berg, he grew up embracing country life and getting into all sorts of shenanigans with friends and siblings. From an early age, Brian showed athletic promise in hockey, baseball, and football. At 15, he moved to Camrose to attend Camrose Lutheran College, where he continued to excel in sports and later joined the Edmonton Huskies Football Club.

After high school, this farm boy packed his cleats and headed to the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on a football scholarship to Augsburg College, where he played football, hockey, and baseball for the Auggies. Most notably, it was there he met the love of his life, Debra (Lundberg) Berg.

The year 1972 was a big one for Brian—he proposed to Debbie, set a record for the longest field goal (59 yards) that still stands, and began his CFL career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. They were married on April 28, 1973, and moved to Regina, where they welcomed their first child, Kristin, in 1974. During his time in the CFL, Brian played for both the Riders and the BC Lions. He also volunteered with Athletes in Action (AIA), a Christian sports organization that uses athletics to help people grow in faith and character.

Eventually, Brian and Debbie traded football fields for farm fields, returning home to raise their growing family. Karri and Kimberly soon followed, and a few years later, Kylie-Joy, Kaylan, and finally, a boy—Kelly—joined the family. Brian was a devoted and hands-on father who shared his love of sports, music, farm life, and practical jokes with his children.

Brian remained deeply involved in his community, playing Wildcats Baseball, curling in Lougheed, and serving as a 4-H leader. He was an active member of the Christian Cowboys, singing and playing guitar at rodeo Sunday morning services. Later, he taught high school physical education at Forestburg and Central High in Sedgewick, spending evenings and weekends coaching nearly every sport imaginable. Watching his children—and later his grandchildren—play became one of his greatest joys.

In retirement, Brian returned to the rhythm of farm life, enjoying “farm naps,” wrangling cows, and following the adventures of his grandkids.

Brian will forever be remembered for his friendly demeanor, larger-than-life hands, and his knack for dozing off anywhere—what the family fondly called “low-grade narcolepsy.” Every time a farm nap is had, kittens are cuddled, or you spot a proud mustache, think of Brian. He found magic in rainbows and northern lights, lived for TSN highlights and old John Wayne films, was quick to laugh, quick to compliment, and gave the best hugs.

A Celebration of Life for Brian will be held at the Sedgewick Nazarene Church on Saturday November 15^th, 2025 at 2:00 pm.

Please join the family following the service for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Memorial donations in Brian’s memory can be made to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or a Charity of Donor’s choice