Barbara Berg Harwood

It is not often, if ever, that you hear, "You know what happens to little boys who lie? They grow up to be weathermen;" or "I'll bet you a cookie you won't do that." Unless, that is, you knew Barbara Berg Harwood. Evident from her funny sayings, Barb was a very clever woman, with an intellect that could only be outmatched by her compassion. As a student and an employee she stood head and shoulders above the rest and worked hard everyday to do the best job she could. And yet no matter how much success she achieved, nothing could compare to the care, thoughtfulness, and love that she showed to her family, friends, and pets. With her kindness and dedication, Barbara left an impression on all of their hearts that will last a lifetime. While the early 1940s were dominated by the war being fought overseas, as the decade neared its halfway point, a light could be seen shining at the end of the tunnel. Without a doubt, life in America was improving with each passing day and the middle of the decade would mark both the end of World War II and the beginning of a new era of prosperity across the country. For Walter and Lucille (Bryner) Berg of Grand Haven, Michigan, the year 1945 would be a memorable one for many reasons, but none more exciting than the birth of their daughter Barbara Alice on May 3rd. Although Barbara was not the first child born in her family, she was the first in quite some time. Nearly six years had passed since her older brother Russel was born, which left a considerable age difference between them. While growing up, both of her parents held jobs in the local community. Her father drove a truck for Neitring Coal Dock and her mother was a 4th grade teacher at Peach Plains Elementary School. Living in the same house her entire childhood, most everyday was considered a school lesson. Perhaps from her years spent in the classroom dealing with unruly students, Barbara's mother did not tolerate disobedience at home and her father was quite strict as well. Despite her parent's stern demeanor, family was extremely important to them. Some of Barbara's favorite childhood memories included baking cookies with her mom during the holidays and visiting with her cousins during the summers and at family reunions. While she may not have participated in many extracurricular activities in school, Barbara was always a very good student. After graduation she enrolled at the University of Michigan to study chemistry and upon earning her degree, she returned home to Grand Haven. During this time, however, becoming a college graduate was not the only new development in Barb's life. She had met and began dating a young man from the Detroit area, named Sam Harwood. Barbara and Sam were married a short time later and set up housekeeping just south of Holland in the small town of Hamilton. Sam was a propane salesman by day, while Barbara found a job at Ottawa Door Light, a factory in nearby Zeeland. With their matching red hair, friends and family often remarked that the newlyweds were "quite a pair." Both Barb and Sam were a little on the heavy side and from all outward appearances, if ever two people belonged together then it was them. Apart from their looks, they also shared many similar interests including fishing. Oftentimes their nephew Russ would accompany them on fishing trips and can remember his aunt and uncle driving their Volkswagen bus right up to the river's edge so that they could fish right out of it. They also took their nephew to Demolition Derbies. As a hobby, Barb and Sam liked to attend auction sales, where Sam had a habit of buying big boxes of junk. In the early 1980s, Barb's marriage to Sam came to an end, at about the same time that she decided on a career change. She had recently returned to school at ITT Tech in Grand Rapids, studying to become a copy machine technician. After earning a second degree, she obtained a job at IKON Office Solutions, formerly Hovinga Office Equipment, where she would work for nearly 25 years. During that time she excelled in her trade, working very hard for each of her clients and covering a large territory that extended from Ludington to Zeeland. In addition to her successful career, Barbara also took it upon herself to be the primary caretaker to both of her parents when their health started to fail. She was a wonderful and loving daughter, and took great pride in the care she gave to them in the latter years of their lives. Sadly, in 1995 Barbara lost her father and just three years later her brother, Russel Sr., passed on as well. At that point she and her mother moved into his home where they would live together until her mother died in 1999. While single-handedly caring for her parents in their time of need, Barb's own health was also declining. She had some complications resulting from diabetes, one of them being the gradual loss of her vision. She continued to work as long as she could, but after three auto accidents, she finally realized the time had come for her to quit driving and go on disability. Barb officially retired from IKON office solutions in 2002. Barbara had always been a dog lover and had owned several pets during her lifetime including Freckles, Atu, and Kisha. Whenever local vet Casey Nash needed to find a home for an abandoned pet, he always called upon Barb and her big heart to take them in. In the final years of her life she found comfort and companionship in her loving dog, Smokey. Now with her passing, Smokey is just one of the many who will mourn the loss and cherish the memory of a wonderful and compassionate aunt, cousin, and friend. Barbara Berg Harwood, age 61, died Saturday December 31, 2006. Surviving are her companion and loving dog, Smokey; 1 nephew, Russ (Cindy) Berg Jr.; 2 nieces, Denise (John) Ristau of IL, Diane (Dan) Hysell of Grand Haven; great nieces and nephews, Rhonda Berg, Becki Berg, Jenna Tatu, Lisa Tatu, Jake Tatu, Andy Ristau, Ben Ristau, Brad Hysell, Ryan Hysell, and many special cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her Brother Russel Berg, Sr. Services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2006, 1:00 PM, at Clock Lifestory Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Interment will be in Robinson Township Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ottawa County Humane Society. Please visit Barbara's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can view her Life Story Digital Film, leave a memory, and sign the online guestbook.