Richard (Karl) Berger

Richard (Karl) Berger

Marengo

Richard (Karl) Berger died Friday, June 6, at Colonial Manor in Amana, IA at age 85. Born July 3, 1939, in Des Moines, IA, he was the first son of Everett Richard (Dick) Berger and Irene (Everald) Carpenter. He attended Belle Plaine High school and made a career in the automotive industry, after getting his start at Malcom’s in Belle Plaine, IA.

Karl worked as a tune-up mechanic for McGrath Pontiac in Cedar Rapids, IA, eventually working his way up to Director of Service Operations for McGrath’s and then Reed Cadillac-Olds in Waterloo, IA. While in those positions, he won numerous national awards for superior service and productivity, which ultimately led him into service supremacy consulting throughout the U.S. for Deiss & Associates, St. Helena, CA; Edward’s & Associates, Charlotte, SC; and Berger Automotive.

Karl was united in marriage to LouAlice Kinzenbaw on October 17, 1959 at Trinity United Church of Christ, Marengo, IA. Always by his side, Lou and Karl traveled the world, enjoyed wintering in Harlingen, TX, and enjoyed time with the granddaughters.

Karl’s true passion was music, and in his younger days he played bass and sang with Pug and the Western Playboys, Louis and the High Lads, Soapstone, and Mercy. Being part of the Cedar Rapids music scene provided him the opportunity to play with traveling music legends Patsy Cline, Little Jimmy Dickens and Roy Clark.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Karla (Eric) Marck of Marengo, IA and Karmen (Beth) Berger of California; two granddaughters, Hannah (Jordan) Marck of West Des Moines, IA and Lauren Marck of Iowa City, IA; and all his buckskinner brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Guy "Steven" Berger.

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Marck home, 200 W. Hilton, Marengo, IA. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.