Freemont (Fritz) William Berger, 98, was born on April 24, 1924, on the Berger family farm near Drake. He passed away Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at Mercy Hospital South DeGreoff Hospice House in St. Louis. He had been living in St. Louis for the past four years at Southview Assisted Living.
He was the second youngest child of John Herman Berger and Martha Brehe Berger. Freemont’s five brothers and four sisters preceded him in death.
Freemont was baptized in the St. James Evangelical Church June 1, 1924, by Rev. Ditel and his baptismal Bible verses were Mark 10:15 and 16:16, and Luke 18:16. He was confirmed in St. James Evangelical Church April 2, 1939, by Rev. J.M. Hertel. His confirmation verses were Revelations 2:10 and John 15:5.
He graduated from the Kiehl Elementary School and worked on the family farm until the age of 20, when he was drafted into the service of his country during World War II. He completed basic training at Ft. Riley, Kan., and then was sent to Radio Communication and Maintenance School at Ft. Riley. His tour of duty overseas began in the Philippines, where he joined the 77th Reconnaissance of the 77th Infantry on the island of Lehte. After the war ended, he was sent to the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. When the 77th Infantry disbanded, he joined the 302nd Reconnaissance of the 1st Cavalry near Tokyo, Japan. He was discharged from the service at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., Nov. 23, 1946, attaining the rank of T/4.
Freemont, who always combined humility with humor, thought it was funny that after training at Ft. Riley with horses that the Cowboy Colonel thought he was the only member of the troop that might be called a cavalryman due to his ability to handle horses. He pointed out he knew enough to always try to choose the most broken-down looking horse, assuming they would be the easiest to control and making it appear that he was a good horseman. He stated he was happy the horses did not follow them past Ft. Riley.
Freemont began working at Mallinckrodt Chemical Co. in St. Louis Dec. 2, 1946, working as a processor in Plant 4 until Feb. 2, 1948. During this period, he attended night telegraphy school to learn the American Morse Code. He had already learned the International Morse Code during his time in the military. He needed to know American Morse in order to work for the railroad at that time. After graduating from night school, he began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad March 3, 1948. The railroad would later join the Union Pacific Railroad. At one time or another he worked at every railroad station between St. Louis and Kansas City. He worked as a telegrapher, ticket agent, centralized traffic control, freight agent, mobile freight agent and customer service representative. He retired April 30, 1985.
Nov. 4, 1950, he was united in marriage with Beatrice (Betty) C. Langenberg by Rev. Ben Wolf at the Hermann Methodist Church. They had two children Douglas Wayne and Patricia Sue (Susie) Berger. Freemont and Betty made their home in Hermann, for 52 years and were members of the Hermann Methodist Church until moving to St. Louis in Aug. 2002, to live with their daughter. He was a member of the Concord Trinity United Methodist Church in St. Louis for 20 years prior to his death.
Along with being a member of the United Methodist Church, he was a past member of the Independent Chemical Workers Union, the Union of Railroad Telegraphers and Clerks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Freemont would never refuse a piece of gooseberry pie, and very much enjoyed traveling with his wife.
Along with his parents, brothers and sisters, Freemont was preceded in death by his wife and one niece.
He is survived by children Douglas (Sue) Berger, Ava, and Patricia Berger, St. Louis; two grandchildren Caleb (Katie) Berger, Lawson, and Jacinda (Joey) Jedlicka, Ballwin; four great-grandsons, Henry (Hank), Jack and Mark Berger, Lawson, and Mason Oslo Jedlicka, Ballwin; and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service was held on Monday, Oct. 3, at the Owensville City Cemetery with Pastor Laura Taylor officiating. Services were under the direction of the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home, Owensville.
