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Arlene Lalia Van Berg

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June 3, 1933 - January 10, 2010

Visitation:
Visitation Place:

Service: 11:00 am Thursday, January 14, 2010
Service Place: Berean Church
Cemetery:

Arlene Lalia (Finley) Van Berg, 76, of Sterling, died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, in Sterling. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Berean Church in Sterling, with Pastor Matt Palm officiating. Arlene was born June 3, 1933, in Logan, Iowa, to Kenneth and Lalia (Hoover) Finley. She attended Columbus, Neb., High School and graduated in 1951.

She married E.S. “Bud” Van Berg on March 3, 1952, in Aurora, Neb. They moved to Sterling with their four daughters in 1958. Mrs. Van Berg was co-owner of Sterling Livestock since Feb. 8, 1958. She was a member of the First Christian Church. Arlene was a member of Chapter Z, PEO. Over the years, Arlene was active in numerous clubs and organizations. She was the president of the Colorado Cattlewomen’s Association, chaired the Miss Colorado Pageant for 10 years, and started the 4-H Club Petticoat Hillfillies. During her early years in Sterling, she volunteered with Red Cross in the Grey Ladies program and served with Meals on Wheels. Arlene owned and operated their antique store, “Vantiques and Tings.” She was very active working the livestock and antique auctions with Bud, her partner and the love of her life for 54 years. Arlene’s greatest enjoyment came from time with her four girls, 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her kindness, gentle strength, grace and beauty.

Mrs. Van Berg is survived by her daughters, Debora Japp and husband Dave, Becky Santomaso and husband Jim, Deanie Van Berg and Greg Scheider, Cindy Pilkington and husband Curt; brother, Wayne Finley and wife Betty of Snyder; sister, Bonnell Sweet and husband Sam of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Donna Kultgen and husband Ed of Woodway, Texas; grandchildren, Ryan Japp and wife Lori, Jenny Nelson and husband Chris, Dawn Wisdom, Rachelle Maker and husband Chris, Dusty Japp and wife Kami, Jason Santomaso and wife Camille, Shanan Doherty and husband Tim, Star Japp and husband Ryan, Joseph Plank and wife Bethany, Nathan Japp and wife Jessica, Stacie Brooks and husband Ethan, Angie Plank and Matt Pomeroy, Derek Pilkington and Ali Pilkington; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, E.S. “Bud” Van Berg; her parents; two sisters; and one brother. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains or The Walsh Center in care of Tennant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.