Steven J. Berka

Steven J. Berka, 66, Superior resident, died Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at his home after a nine year courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on November 19, 1947 in Superior, WI to Steve and Jean (Harrer) Berka.

He graduated from high school and attended WITC for two years.
Steve was a maintenance worker for ABC Rail for thirty-five years and retired in 2001.

He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and a member of the former Polish Club.
Steve traveled to the Minnesota State Fair every year for both weekends for over thirty-five years. There is a bench at the fair that has his name and picture on it for his many contributions. He loved shooting pool and played for forty-seven years. He belonged to several pool leagues including the Polish Club, Devil’s Inn and has been the captain of the Palace Bar team for the past twenty years. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed fishing. He loved to run Grandma’s marathon and many other races.

Steve is survived by his wife, Laroyia; one daughter, Tammy (Darren) Kitchak; one son, James (Jennifer) Berka, both of Superior, WI; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Judy (Gary) Marek, Grantsburg, WI and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, January 31, 2014 in the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior.

Visitation will resume on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2316 E. 4th Street, Superior at 12:30 PM and continue until the 1:30 PM Mass of Christian Burial with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Superior.

Pallbearers for the service will be Steve’s pool team, Jeff Hammond, Bill Lambert, George Larson, Mark Dinda, Ken Ormsby and Ditto Fairbanks.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.