Leona Elsie (née Teegen) Berg was born in Chicago, IL, on December 17, 1937, the fourth of seven children to Rudolph and Eleanor (née Schnur) Teegen. She grew up in the Glenview and Skokie area, attended Immanuel Lutheran Church, and later moved with her family to a farm in Palatine.

After graduating from New Trier High School, Leona began working for American Bell as a phone operator. It was there that she met her future mother-in-law and was introduced to her future husband, Phil Berg.

Leona and Phil were married in 1964 and began their life together on her family’s farmland. After the birth of their first son, Philip, they moved to the Elgin area for Phil’s work. Following the birth of their second son, Peter, they settled into their longtime home between Elgin and South Elgin, where their third son, Paul, was later born.

Leona was a dedicated stay-at-home mother who took great pride in her home and family. She enjoyed gardening and working on small carpentry projects alongside her husband and sons, while instilling in them the values of Christianity and hard work. Having grown up during the Great Depression era, she developed a strong sense for finding value and making the most of what she had. She also stayed engaged with current events, both locally and nationally, and even contributed several written pieces to local newspapers.

In her later years, Leona could often be found at home enjoying a bowl of O-Ke-Doke popcorn and a Coca-Cola while watching television. She had a deep affection for animals—especially cats and dogs—and for young children. She loved sharing her collection of photographs from her life and travels with them.

Above all, Leona’s faith was central to her life. She kept her Sunday school Bible close at hand, and enjoyed watching sermons from Joyce Meyer on television.

In time, Leona faced increasing health challenges, including heart and kidney disease. Despite this, she remained true to herself and continued living life on her own terms until her passing on March 27, 2026, at the age of 88, under the care of the doctors and nurses at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Eleanor Teegen; her sister, Ruthie (Harvey) Peter; and her brother, Donald (Courtney) Teegen. She is survived by her sisters, Jannice (George) Kennedy and Phyllis (William) Diehl; her brothers, Gerald (Lisa) Teegen and Howard (Barbara) Teegen; and her three sons and their families: Philip (Diane) Berg and their daughter Mary; Peter (Melanie) Berg and their son Davis; and Paul (Melissa) Berg and their daughters Carly, Kaylee, and Victoria.

May Leona rest in peace, and may we all enjoy a Coca-Cola in her memory.

A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00am until the funeral service at 12:00pm, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 195 Nesler Road, Elgin, IL 60124.

Interment will be private.