March 19, 1970
ALGONA - Bruce Thomas (Tom) Berge, 22, Fort Dodge,
an honor student and star athlete at Clear Lake High School several years ago, was killed Thursday night in a car-truck collision on slushy Highway 169, about five miles from Algona.
He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Earl O. Berge. Dr. Berge is superintendent of schools at Fort Dodge. He formerly was superintendent at Clear Lake.
The Kossuth County sheriff's office said Berge's car apparently went out of control and was hit broadside when struck by a semi truck. The driver of the semi was not injured, authorities said. Berge was alone in his car, it was reported.
Berge was graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1965 and received an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University at Ames.
He played quarterback for the Clear Lake football team, lettering two years in this sport; three years in basketball; three years in track and one year in baseball. He was named quarterback on the All-North Central Conference team in 1964.
Berge was a member of Clear Lake's Honor Society and was a delegate to Iowa Boys State in 1964.
He attended Iowa State University two years and the University of Iowa one year. He was graduated from Mankato (Minn.) State College last spring and was working on a master's degree. He was en-route home from Mankato at the time of the accident.
He was born Sept. 15, 1947, at Centerville.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by five sisters - Mrs. James E. Champion, Ankeny; Jerrie Berge, Lisle, Ill.; Jeanne Berge, a student at Mankato State College, and twins, Jolene and Jannene, at home. Surviving grandparents include Mrs. Mollie Berge, Garner, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bierstedt, Whittemore.
Funeral services have been set for 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge. The Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge is in charge of arrangements.
