Marta E. Berg's Obituary
Marta Ellen Berg passed away on March 9, 2017 in Gig Harbor, WA. Marta was born in Tacoma, WA on August 31, 1938. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Virginia Hauge, her husband Carl, and her dog Maggie. She is survived by her sister Marian Hauge, her daughter Ellen and son Erik; granddaughters Lauren and Katelyn Berg; and lifelong friends Roberta and Gary Larson.
Marta lost her husband in 1969. She found fulfillment by devoting her life to serving others; as a mother, grandmother, and physical education teacher in the Tacoma School District – at Jason Lee, Hunt Jr High, Lincoln, Mount Tahoma and finally Henry Foss High School. She coached gymnastics, swimming and volleyball. Marta felt it was her mission to make sure every student that passed through her high school knew how to swim. She would say “no one should drown because they don’t know how to swim, with all the water we have around Tacoma.”
She was devoted to her children, making sure they embodied integrity, hard work and service to others. She was a coach and cheerleader during Erik and Ellen’s swimming career and pushed for academic excellence. Never one to sit still, she made sure her granddaughters got to swim workouts, violin lessons and school on time. Marta participated in a Norwegian dance group and performed in the South Puget Sound area. She was active with the Daughters of Norway and held a special interest in learning her family’s ancestry – visiting family she discovered in her research, both in Norway and Iowa. She shared a love of Rhododendrons with both her husband and father; a love that survives in her son. She worked in her yard until she could no longer get around the flower beds. She had a special place in her heart for dogs and animals of all kinds.
What’s your fondest memory of Marta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marta?
Share a story where Marta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marta you’ll never forget.
How did Marta make you smile?