1.1A Senate resolution
1.2congratulating Joseph Berklich of Hibbing, Minnesota, on his 100th birthday.
1.3WHEREAS, our communities are blessed by the presence of those who have lived long lives and
1.4are part of our living history and having a 100th birthday is a joyous occasion and a time to honor and
1.5congratulate the celebrant; and
1.6WHEREAS, Joseph "Joe" Berklich was born on February 24, 1921, in North Hibbing, Minnesota,
1.7to Croatian immigrant parents Nicholas and Vera Berklich. They had one daughter, Ann, and four sons,
1.8John, Matthew, Joseph and Michael; and
1.9WHEREAS, Joe joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at age 15, and served three years, sending
1.10money home to his parents; and
1.11WHEREAS, Joe and his three brothers were drafted in 1943. Joe served in the Americal Division
1.12in the Pacific, at Bougainville, Leyte, Mindanao, and Boho, was promoted to staff sergeant and served as a
1.13platoon leader. All four boys returned home safely, and their service led to their now-widowed mother
1.14becoming a United States citizen; and
1.15WHEREAS, before leaving for the war Joe was united in marriage to Margaret "Marge" Britt on
1.16August 5, 1943. Joe and Marge celebrated 67 years of marriage when Marge died in May of 2010 at the age
1.17of 85; and
1.18WHEREAS, upon returning from the war, Joe worked for U.S. Steel for over 40 years. He was a
1.19mechanic and foreman working with heavy equipment and he traveled across the states working with vendors
1.20of mining equipment; and
1.21WHEREAS, Joe was a long-time curler and served as president for the Hibbing Curling Club for
1.22many years. He was an expert ice maker for the all the bonspiels, especially the "Last Chance Bonspiel"
1.23held every April; and
1.24WHEREAS, Joe also served his community as a city council member in the 1990s, and as a member
1.25of the VFW and the American Legion; and
1.26WHEREAS, Joe has been a member of the Blessed Sacrament Church and a Lifetime Knight with
1.27the Knights of Columbus; and
1.28WHEREAS, Joe and his wife, Marge, had four children - Michael, Daniel, Timothy, and Mary. Joe
1.29enjoys spending time with his children, nine grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren; and
1.30NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it honors
1.31Joseph Berklich on his 100th birthday and extends its deep gratitude for his military service.
1.32BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.33copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.34Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Joseph Berklich.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

David J. TomassoniState Senator, District 6