Gene Raymond Berger was born March 16, 1938 to William James Berger and Ella Virginia Woolstenhulme in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was the second of six children born to Bill and Ella. He was raised in Victor, Idaho on his family's farm and ranch, where he loved to roam the surrounding countryside on his favorite horse, "Pal".  Often adventurous and mischievous (even as an adult), he was known to raid his mom's pantry, take a quart jar of fruit, and head up to explore the mountains near his home. He always cherished his place of birth and his connection with the Tetons.

He met Sharon Jean Murdoch at a church function where he heard her play a piano solo. He proposed to her within two weeks of that first meeting, although it took another two years before she finally accepted. They were married on February 13, 1959 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had five children- four daughters and one son.

Gene went to school to become a barber and was the youngest licensed barber in the state of Idaho at the age of 19. He owned two different barbershops. He changed careers several times in his life. Because of his deep love of animals, he ran a dairy for a short time before going into the construction business. He then went to work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he oversaw the construction of church buildings, excluding  temples, throughout the Northwestern states, including parts of Alaska. Gene and Sharon initially made their home in Rexburg, Idaho, later moving to Pasco, Washington; Salem, Oregon; and Burley, Idaho before retiring in Ashton, Idaho.

Gene was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved serving in any capacity he was called, including Bishop, Branch President at Rick's College, Scoutmaster, and his favorite calling- as a Sunbeam teacher. He also served as a stake missionary and on the high council. He loved helping in every way he was asked. Gene served two church missions: the first to Nauvoo, Illinois with his wife, Sharon. Sharon passed away in June 2013. Within six months of her passing, he left for his second mission to Tonga, where he served with his oldest daughter Sandy and her husband Garth. Shortly before returning home, he decided he would like to be remarried and started courting his soon to be second wife, Mary Jean Kearsley Place, over Zoom. She was the sister of his childhood best friend. He was ready to marry her the day his plane landed back in the states. However, she held out for an in-person courtship. They were married in June 2015. They enjoyed many adventures together before she passed away in November 2018. He often contemplated what was going to happen when he got to the other side where he would greet his two wives. We know this was a joyous reunion for all.

Gene will be deeply missed by so many. He truly was a friend to all he met. His contagious grin, light-hearted humor, and eagerness to help left lasting impressions on all who knew him.

Gene was proceeded in death by both wives, Sharon and Mary Jean; his parents; brother, James Douglas Berger; sister-in-law, Marcia Floyd Berger; brother-in-law, Steve Taylor; son-in-law, Ronnie A. Lindstrom; and grandson, Jonathan Rex Hamblin.

Gene is survived by his siblings: sister Marsha Taylor, brother Phil (Melanee) Berger, sister Dessa (Rex) Wade, brother Shane (Jean) Berger; his children: Sandra Lynne (Garth) Hamblin, Kim Lindstrom, Jeannie (Marc) Nix, Jacque (Jeff) Hunt, Bill (Kimberly) Berger; and 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. He was also blessed with three additional families through his marriage to Mary: Justin and Tara Place, Bart and Jolyn Place, Lara Marler, and their children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Ashton LDS Stake Center with Bishop Justin Heiner of the Ashton 2nd Ward officiating.  The family will receive friends and family Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services.  Interment will be in the Pineview Cemetery.

Gene Berger Funeral Program

Services will be streamed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/gene-berger