Tuesday, October 15, 2024
ROSEMARY BERG-FERNSTRUM, 95, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 10, 2024 at Washington Square Apartments in Marinette, WI. She was born on January 12, 1929 to Rose (Hafner) and Karl Haltug of Menominee, MI. She began her professional career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Coleman, WI and met her husband, Albert “Bob” Berg when she took a position teaching in Goodman, WI. They were married in 1952 and had two children, Bob and Bonnie. Rosemary enjoyed traveling with Bob for his career as a Navy man and, as a lifelong learner, she took classes to further her education, eventually earning her degree from Old Dominion College in Norfolk, VA. Rosemary inspired the minds of countless students until she retired from the Marinette School District. Ever the dedicated educator, she wrote an authoritative book on phonics to assist in teaching reading and spelling.
When Bob retired, the moved back to Menominee. Sadly, Bob preceded Rosemary in death shortly thereafter in 1972. In 1983, Rosemary married Ben Fernstrum in Hawaii and they enjoyed 32 years of marriage. They looked forward to their annual trips back to Hawaii during the winter months and had an active social life with many friends.
Rosemary was an avid gardener and enjoyed raising a series of unique pets, a racoon and porcupine among them. She will forever be remembered by those who knew her for her love of raising Monarch butterflies every season.
She was a long-time member of the Menominee Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Rose Haltug, brothers, Danny and Jackie Haltug, her sister-in-law, Gerry Haltug, her two husbands, Albert “Bob” Berg and Ben Fernstrum and a grandson-in-law, Jason Catron.
Rosemary is survived by her son, Albert “Bob” (Lori) Berg of Menominee, MI, daughter, Bonnie (Ray) Bjorkman of Marinette, WI, grandchildren, Gina Bjorkman (late Jason Catron) of Bigfork, MT, Jann (Ryan) Larson of Green Bay, WI, Zac (Cheryl) Berg of Boise, ID, Matt (Kimmy Nguyen) Berg of Salt Lake City, UT as well as 4 great grandchildren, Rylee, Audrey, Valerie and Lou.
Services will be held at the Menominee Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Saturday October 19, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Rosemary will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Menominee in the family plot.
The family would like to thank the staff at Washington Square Apartments as well as Unity Health Services for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
Anderson Diehm Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
