Meet Dennis Berg

EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER

Meet Dennis Berg

Dennis Berg just joined the Haxtun Health staff in February, but already he’s Employee of the Quarter . That tells you something about his character and work ethic .

As part of the maintenance crew, Berg helps make sure all the facilities are in good working order . His department also undertakes bigger tasks . For instance, right now they’re refurbishing the radiology lab, built in 1965 .

Fortunately, Berg has a lifetime of construction experience to offer . His father was a master electrician for the railroad . Growing up in La Junta, Berg and his three brothers were roped into learning alongside their dad as together they built and fixed whatever needed building and fixing. Berg’s construction background came in handy when he started working for Sterling Correctional Facility in 1991 . He served as Captain of the Maintenance, Boiler House, and HVAC Departments . Then, at the age of 42, he went back to school to earn a degree at Colorado State University in Adult Education so he could become an instructor for the prison’s vocational programs . For 12 years, Berg taught incarcerated people job skills, including heavy equipment operation, construction technology and commercial driver’s license instruction . Together he and his students helped build many facilities in the area, ranging from CSU feed lots and calving barns in Akron to the Nazarene Church in Sterling and the Merino Fire Department building . “I know a thing or two,” Berg quipped . Berg retired from the Colorado Department of Corrections in June of 2021 . It didn’t take him and his wife, Karen, long to decide that it would be a good idea for him to get another job . “I need to keep busy . And this job keeps me out of my wife’s hair,” he joked . “She’s the yin to my yang, but she likes her quiet time .” So while Karen finishes out her career at the Sterling Federal Credit Union, Haxtun Health is fortunate to have Berg, who’s 61, with hammer in hand . Besides, he’s enjoying this second career . While prison work could be rewarding, it wasn’t always enjoyable, he said . His new job is . “When work ceases to be fun, it becomes work,” he said . “There’s a motto to live by, right there . ” When they’re not working, the Bergs love to travel . He’s been to 49 states and is looking forward to visiting the 50th—Hawaii—next year . Some of his favorite destinations have been Alaska, Sequoia National Forest and Niagara Falls .

And then there’s family . Together he and Karen have five children and seven grandchildren . And he and his brothers and their families get together too . In fact, Berg is in the planning stages of building a new shop at his home . He needs a place to park the camper, yes, but more important, a space to gather . For example, recently 23 people converged on the Bergs’ house for Chili Fest, an annual tradition . Somehow Berg manages to fit it all in. “Work keeps me going,” he said . “And it gives me fun tickets .” He pulled out his wallet and withdrew dollar bills . “These are fun tickets . If you want to play, you have to have fun tickets in your pocket .”

Karen and Dennis Berg Berg’s family includes five children and seven grandchildren. Berg, far right, on a visit to Alaska with his brothers.