Cole Berger

Cole Robert William Berger went to be with his Lord and Savior, at age 19, on August 17th, 2025, at his home in Billings, Montana.

Cole was born on November 28th, 2005, in Bismark, ND to his loving parents Michael and Heather Berger. Cole was the second boy to join the family. His older brother Jacob was thrilled with his little brother. Although he was the younger brother, he soon found ways to keep up with Jacob, even surpassing him in certain areas, like the art of sledding down a driveway at full speed.

Before too long, Cole got the chance to be a big brother. Cole took the duties of being an older brother very seriously. He loved to tease his baby sister Kaitlin. If she had friends over, you can be sure he would get them laughing, screaming, or just generally riled up, and then quietly sneak off, when mom would call from the other side of the house for the girls to settle down.

Cole was homeschooled and graduated from Green Acres Academy in 2023. Some of the benefits of homeschooling were that Cole had a lot of quality time with his family. His little sister became his classmate, and he liked to school her in video games.

Cole loved to cook and hoped to be a chef someday. Making dinner became his job in the family, and when Cole was cooking everybody won. Cole had recently started a job as a line cook, and he and his parents had plans to start a coffee shop in Tennessee called “Cole’s Coffee Shack.” Cole loved coffee. It just made sense that he would start a coffee shop.

Cole was an old soul. He didn’t like to be front and center. He was easygoing and kind. He had a ready smile or smirk and was usually up to something. You could count on Cole to make you laugh.

Cole loved music. He always had music going in his ear. He loved many kinds of music, and his playlist was extensive and sometimes surprising. The man loved his sea shanties, Johnny Cash, and AC/DC. No decade was off limits, but if it was Country, it had to be classic.

Cole was creative, tech savvy, resourceful, and curious about how things worked. He was a bookworm from a young age, an avid chess player, and enjoyed playing cards- especially with Grandpa Berger. He loved all animals, especially sloths, black bears and his old cat Butterbean.

He also loved swimming, cold weather, and occasionally, swimming in cold weather. He was a master at sledding, loved fishing, and was a great dirt bike rider when he was younger.

The Berger family moved to Lavina in 2016. Cole enjoyed the family’s property, where he had lots of room to play and run. He helped his family manage their land and animals; and loved to help his dad maintain his truck.

The family joined a homeschool co-op in Roundup and became close friends with the Stevens family. The kids enjoyed many fun days hanging out together. The Steven’s family invited the Bergers to try their church. In October of 2023 the family started attending Bethel Church in Broadview, and Cole joined the youth group. Cole would participate in the discussions and always had insightful things to say.

After graduating, Cole started working in Billings and was ready to spread his wings and become independent. He lived with his brother Jacob for a while, and later became roommates with his friends, enjoying this new chapter in his life.

Wherever Cole went he had music in his ear, and coffee in his hand. His kindness and smirky smile live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by, parents Mike and Heather Berger (Spencer, TN), half-sister Emily Malone (Missoula, MT), brother Jacob Berger (Caidyn) and nephew Lucas (Billings, MT), sister Kaitlin Berger (Spencer, TN), Grandma Berger (Mandan, ND) as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Grandpa Berger preceded him in death August of 2024, and we are pretty sure they are already playing cards together in heaven.

Cole’s celebration of life will be held at Bethel Evangelical Church in Broadview, MT at 11 am on August 23, 2025. There will be a reception immediately following the service at the Broadview Community Center (also known as the Senior Center.)

Cole’s ashes will be spread in Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help start Cole’s Coffee Shack. Donations can be sent to:

The Bergers / Cole’s Coffee Shack

272 Meadow Dr

Spencer, TN 38585