Date of Birth
Sep 30,1949
Date of Death
Jul 18,2014
Donna Jean Berg passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 at her home surrounded by her family and her beautiful gardens.Donna was born in Harvard, IL on September 30, 1949. For years, she was the only girl in the family with 5 brothers until her little sister came along. She graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 1967 and Northern Illinois University in 1974. Donna worked at NIU in the early 70’s, taught in Aurora and then worked at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in the early 80’s. She lived in Illinois, Florida, Colorado, (back to Florida) and then settled in Illinois.Bob Burkholder and Donna were married in Maui on March 1, 1985. Soon thereafter, she became what she loved most – a Mother. She doted on Andrew and Jarrett. According to Donna they had too much fun. She loved the boys and was shattered when they were killed in a car accident in March 2003.Donna dedicated her time to a memorial website Andrew-Jarrett.com with almost daily updates. She shared her memories, thoughts and the great photos she took with the world on the site. Donna used any opportunity to take pictures with her many cameras, whether it was people, animals, or the moon.Donna loved the outdoors especially if it was 82 degrees, her favorite temperature. She spent countless hours tending her gardens and mowing the lawn on her John Deere mower which she christened, Juanita. She loved every minute in her yard tending her plantings which made her gardens the envy of the neighborhood.Donna had a way with words; she loved to talk and like her Dad she never met a stranger. She talked to people in checkout lines, at the next table and especially on long car rides. She was also talented with the written word. She kept journals; she sent a thoughtful note; and always remembered birthdays and special occasions with a card, a letter or flowers. She was the family historian. She kept the family archives and genealogy and tracked births, deaths and marriages.She is preceded in death by her 2 sons; Jarrett Berg Burkholder, who died March 3, 2003; Andrew Robert Burkholder, who passed away March 5, 2003; her nephew, Charles Berg who died July 4, 2010; and her father, Gale Burton Berg who passed away September 19, 2013.She is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Burkholder; her mother, Mary Ellen (O’Malley) Berg of Casselberry, FL; her five brothers: Howard (Irene) Berg, of Granby, CT; Alan (Veralee) Berg, of Silver City, NM; Dennis (Avis) Berg of Rochelle, IL; Steve (Mary) Berg of Orlando, FL; Ron (Liz) Berg, of McHenry, IL; and her little sister, Diane (Marc) Berg-Esterabadi, of Casselberry; nieces and nephews: Gayla, Zoe, Hope, Alyssa, Jason, Chris, Patrick (Stephanie); many cousins and countless friends.Funeral services will be held privately for the family, but a Celebration of Life will be held in Donna’s honor at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119 on Friday, July 25, 2014 from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Beverages and appetizers will be served. Everyone who knew Donna is welcome to attend.Services handled through the care of Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. www.conleycare.com.