The community is remembering the lives of Gary and Tammy Berg.

"They were wonderful people, they loved their family, their friends and their God," family friend Dwight Suderman says, noting their lives were marked by a love of nature and a great sense of humour.

John and Luke Trinke, 14 and 12, explain they had a special relationship with their aunt and uncle.

"They were really loving, they always welcomed you in," Luke says.

"Extremely selfless," John adds of his aunt and uncle, noting they were always easy to talk with.

"No matter the topic, you could let all your emotions flow out and they would sit there, they were such good listeners... any anger or sadness, it just all goes away after a conversation with them," John says.

Gary and Tammy with nephews John and Luke. Submitted photos

Marge Loewen, a life-long friend, says she shared a weekly walk or coffee with Tammy.

"She always thought the best of people," Loewen says. "She was a woman of integrity and always wanted to do the right thing."

The biggest lesson from Tammy's life, Loewen says, is loving people.

"To be kind to people, no matter what someone has done to you... to accept them where they're at," she explains. "To take time for people, because you never know what life has in store for you."

News of the Bergs' passing after the fatal accident on September 8 touched many in the local business community as well. Gary Berg was part-owner of D.A Loewen Electric in Winkler.

Local business owner Wayne Peters says he had the privilege of knowing Gary as a friend and a colleague, noting Berg's work ethic and listening ear.

"When he talked to you, you always felt like you were the only person that mattered, he was really listening and hearing what you were saying," Peters explains.

Co-worker Chris Loewen says Gary was more than a boss, "he was someone we could go to for wisdom and advice on personal things."

Conversations in Gary's office, Loewen explains, would often leave the listener with bits of wisdom.

"He was a father-figure to a lot of us."

"They were really loving, they always welcomed you in,"

Many also took lessons from Gary's conduct at work, placing an emphasis on people, integrity and going the extra mile.

"He was a role-model, he was the man we all wanted to be," Loewen says.

Many also knew Berg to start work at 5:00 a.m every day.

"Our city was extremely blessed to have such an awesome business man," Peters says. "He's going to leave a big vacuum in our community in every way."

Gary and Tammy leave to mourn three sons, Kyle, Eric, and Sean.

"Eric, Sean, and I cannot fully express how grateful we are for all the support we have received in the past few days," Kyle said in a message. "If there is beauty to be found in any of this, it will be in the evidence of how far my parents' love reached. Thank you to all of you."

Funeral services took place at the Winkler Mennonite Church September 14.