Berke, Fred H.
House 1963-66 (District 16)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Counties Served:
Meeker
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
11/18/1911
Birth Place:
Corona, South Dakota
Birth County:
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
8/15/1985
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Lutheran
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Former Name: Gommer
City of Residence (when first elected):
Litchfield
Occupation (when first elected):
Printer, Publisher, and Owner; The Litchfield Shopper's Guide
EDUCATION
Nebraska Public Schools; Elementary School;
Nebraska Public Schools; Secondary; Graduate
University of Chicago, LaSalle Extension; College Graduate; Accounting
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Municipal Council/Aldermen:
Litchfield, Minnesota (City Council);
19?? to 19??
Military:
United States Navy (World War II, Pacific Theatre);
1942 to 1945
Municipal Government:
Litchfield, Minnesota (City Accountant);
1945 to 19??
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Governor's Task Force for the Mentally Retarded;
196? to 196?
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Special Committee for Education and Rehabilitation of the Mentally Retarded;
196? to 196?
Municipal Mayor:
Litchfield, Minnesota (City Mayor);
11/1960 to 11/1962
[Elected]
U.S. Executive Branch:
United States National Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped (Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson);
04/1965 to 19??
[Appointed]
Municipal Mayor:
Litchfield, Minnesota (City Mayor);
01/1970 to 01/1971
[Elected]
County Government:
Meeker County, Minnesota (Longterm Care Council);
198? to 1985
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Norma (married on October 10, 1948)
Children:
Two children; Joel Hokkanen (son), Jan (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He was the son of Johann and Augusta Gommer. His mother died when he was 2 months old and he was sent to live with his mother's sister in Eustis, Nebraska. He was given his uncle's last name, Berke.
He moved to Litchfield, Minnesota in 1939.
He died from a stomach aneurysm at Meeker County Memorial Hospital. His funeral was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota. He was buried in Ripley Cemetery.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota.
Religion provided by his obituary.
Elected: 11/3/1964
Residence: Litchfield
Term of Office: 1/5/1965 to 1/2/1967
Counties Represented:
Meeker
Occupation: Printer, Publisher, and Owner; The Litchfield Shopper's Guide
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Committees:
-
Agriculture and Cooperatives
-
Employees Compensation
-
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
-
Municipal Affairs
-
Towns and Counties
Elected: 11/6/1962
Residence: Litchfield
Term of Office: 1/8/1963 to 1/4/1965
Counties Represented:
Meeker
Occupation: Printer, Publisher, and Owner; The Litchfield Shopper's Guide
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus
Committees:
-
Employees Compensation
-
Motor Vehicles
-
Municipal Affairs
-
Towns and Counties
-
Veterans and Military Affairs
Articles & Books About
"Former Mayor, Legislator Fred Berke Dies at 73 (Obituary)." Litchfield Independent Review, August 22, 1985.
"Fred H. Berke (Obituary)." Litchfield Independent Review, August 22, 1985.
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.