Gary Allen "Bear" Berger, 28, died Thursday, June 26, 2008, in the Bears Paw Mountains south of Havre at the Bear Paw Lake.
Cremation has taken place and his memorial service will be held 3 p. m. Thursday, July 3, 2008, at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Pastor Rowlie Hutton officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later time. Services were entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Gary was born Oct. 2, 1979, in Butte to Mike Matinich and Evon Berger. He was raised in Butte and moved with his mother to Havre where he attended school. Gary worked as a cook at various restaurants in Havre and Kalispell. He started working at Kitty Keepers in March of 2008. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing and most of all, spending time with his two daughters, Alyssa and Abigale. He liked to listen to rap music and be with his family and friends. He enjoyed the Bears Paw Mountains and camping. Gary had a kind soul and was a very loving person. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sharon Berger; great-grandfather, Percy Boettger; and greatgrandmother, Mary Duchaw. Gary is survived by his mother, Evon Berger of Havre; his father, Mike Martinich of Butte; his two daughters, Alyssa and Abigale Berger of Havre; his grandfather, Robert Berger of Havre; his uncles, Robert (Tami) Berger Jr. Of Billings, Edward Berger of Havre and Richard (Kim) Berger of Havre; great-grandmother, Mary Boettger of Havre; greataunts and great-uncles Ed and Helen Gardipee of Butte, Sonny and Shirley Gardipee of Butte, Gunny and Bonnie Doney of Havre, Jim and Loretta Azure of Chinook, Galen and Elaine Eagleman of Rocky Boy, and Ron Berger of Havre; and many cousins.
