Elaine Berg of Downers Grove, IL, formerly of Des Plaines and Chicago, IL; passed away peacefully on Monday, May 30, 2022 at the age of 95.

Elaine born on February 12, 1927 in Chicago, IL, was the only child of Alfred and Caroline Clausen. She grew up on the West side, attended Forman High School and graduated in 1945. She took a very active role in planning her high school reunions for many years.

Around 1942, Elaine met Merritt Berg, a young man working in a grocery store. He was smitten by this beautiful young woman. Elaine's mom had a nickname for her daughter, "Babe". When he heard this, he told Elaine he had a dog named Babe…they started to talk. At this time, when you needed to purchase an item, a clerk would get it off the shelf for you. Merritt was more than happy to bring the items to Elaine and her mother. The rest as they say…is history. They married on August 17, 1946. In 2021 they celebrated their 75 ^th anniversary.

Together they had two sons, Duane (Christine) and Paul (Laurie) as well as a four-legged family member and friend, Gretchen, a cute Dachshund. Elaine had a STRONG family focus, and became an independent woman, as Merritt had to travel quite often for work. The family was very active in church at St. Peters UCC in Chicago. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and very active in the Women's Fellowship Group. Elaine relished her time with her close friends Adell and Jim, Norbert and Ethel, Howard and Ginny and her many cousins.

Elaine enjoyed crafting, sewing, gardening, and was an accomplished knitter. Skills passed down from her mother. She loved decorating for Christmas. She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially her Christmas cookies which were the hit every year. Most years she would bake approximately 25 different kinds of cookies. Family dinners always ended, not only with a dessert Elaine made, but also with about 12 different ice cream choices!

When Merritt made the decision to leave his job and enter the seminary to study Ministry, Elaine revived her typing skills to help with his term papers. She became his partner in Ministry. In 1973, they served at Watson Park UCC in Chicago, IL. She was very involved in all the activities and Women's Fellowship.

Some of her proudest moments were the birth of her grandchildren, Samantha (Christopher) Licka and Ken (Elizabeth) Berg, and her great grandchildren, Kyle, Colin, Ryan, Sydney, Tyler, Haley and Wyatt.

After Merritt retired, the two moved to Des Plaines, IL and became members at Christ Church where she was again active in the Women's Fellowship Group. She enjoyed traveling, taking family vacations with the boys, as well as going on cruises and bus trips.

In 2017, Merritt and Elaine moved to Downers Grove, IL and were able to be close to their son Duane. Elaine spent the last years of her life here. She was a bright light, with a bubbly personality, and a joyful laughter. She will be greatly missed, but not forgotten!

A celebration of Elaine's Life will be held at a later date, still to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, https://bit.ly/3QtpFzq. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com.