My name is David Pivec. I fist got involved with Bittners Resort in 1970 when I met Terry Berg in 1970, at St.Cloud State College. We married in 1972. Jack Berg then became my brother-in-law.
Jack is now living in Grand Rapids MN with his wife Pam.
I will always remember the wonderful times spent at Bittner’s resort which was owned by Vivian and Mark Berg!
We would drive up from Minneapolis to spend time at the resort to visit Mark, Vivian, Jack and Butch.
Many fond Memories for sure.
Today I have an assortment of Ducks carved by Jack! He was an amazing artist.
I went to Bitners about in the late 70s, our Lutheran pastor Tesman, encouraged my family and I to visit, if this is the same place the cabin came with a boat and the pier was just outside the cabin, we spent two weeks and we lived it, I been trying to figure out if this is the same place, it would be nice to visit again, I’m not a fisherman but I caught four gigantic northern and a couple of Bass, I forgotten who the young fellows name that ran the lodge but he would take the fish and fillet them for us. Any information about the lodge It would be appreciated.
Really nice to find this page. Every few years I do a search for Bittner’s or Jack Berg and was happy to see this discussion.
I used to go up to Bittner’s with my Mom and Dad in the late 70’s and early 80’s. My Dad was Richard Carlson, he went for years and years with my older brothers Richard Jr. and David. Maybe someone remembers them – that would have been in the late 50’s and 60’s.
I have very fond memories of Big Balsam and Bittner’s. Staying in the cabins, the A-frame, and eventually in the “fancy” cabin 21 (the last built, I believe). Catching Bass and Northern in the lake, Crappie fishing at dusk right off “the island”, going under the “bridge’ from Big Balsam into the neighboring lake, and especially going on “excursions” with my Dad and Jack.
We’d leave early, Jack would have either a boat in the back of his pickup, or we’d drive out somewhere where he would always have a boat stashed in the woods. I remember sitting in the middle of that cab, firing down backroads for ages until we got to a quiet, peaceful and empty lake. Then the 3 of us would cast off and Jack would tell stories and dirty jokes. Also ingrained in my memory is the fish-cleaning hut out behind the lodge. haha, what a memory.
After I got into high school, we just stopped going. Life got in the way or some other bad excuse. I know my Dad kept in touch with Jack for years later. I know they sold the resort off at some point in the 80’s or 90’s? Maybe someone knows the timeframe.
I have my parents’ collection of Jack Berg carved ducks as well. Some are a little worse for the wear, but they’ve been cared for by us for probably 45 to 50 years. They remind me of hearing the Loons across the lake.
Hi folks I enjoyed your conversation regarding bittner’s resort I also went there in the seventies with Zamis boys from Ohio. Their parents enjoyed their honeymoon there probably in the 50s and continue to go after that many years. I do remember Jack and Mark. Mark was a bit more of the business type and Jack was the wild child but a fun great man. And their mother who did the cooking at the lodge I believe her name was Vivian I may be wrong but she was the sweetest thing sometimes I’d rather hang out with her and help her cook as opposed to drinking with the other men. The lodge was a great quiet relaxing place large dining room area with books and beautiful wall hangings in my mind that would be heaven.
Thank you Mr bittner… Or I guess their last name was Berge?
Hope all is in great health and have a wonderful Merry Christmas.
My parents owned Long Lake Lodge. I remember Jack was a friend of my brother Bob Perrizo. Jack and his brother would occasionally come to the bar. I stayed at bitners resort in the 70’s for my sister Kathy’s wedding reception which was at Balsom Hall.
ps- Do you remember the log cabins down the hill below the lodge? My dad helped Ernie build them before I was born. Did you remember Jake? He always stayed much of the summer in the first cabin on the left after you went down the hill.
Hi Charles,
I finally found a mention of Ernie Bittner’s Lodge. I vaguely remember Ernie, but it was Mark Berg who was running it when our family went there in the early 60’s. Mark was my father’s chef at St. Cloud College then. He and his wife had 2-3 sons, one named Jack? My late father Ray and late brother Neil Herringshaw loved fishing there.
Do you have any info about the Berg family? One of the son’s girlfriend was working with wolves. Who owns the lodge now?
I sent the same reply to Jim Staley.
Hi Jim,
I finally found a mention of Ernie Bittner’s Lodge. I vaguely remember Ernie, but it was Mark Berg who was running it when our family went there in the early 60’s. Mark was my father’s chef at St. Cloud College then. He and his wife had 2-3 sons, one named Jack? My late father Ray and late brother Neil Herringshaw loved fishing there.
Do you have any info about the Berg family? One of the son’s girlfriend was working with wolves. Who owns the lodge now?
My name is David Pivec. I fist got involved with Bittners Resort in 1970 when I met Terry Berg in 1970, at St.Cloud State College. We married in 1972. Jack Berg then became my brother-in-law.
Jack is now living in Grand Rapids MN with his wife Pam.
I will always remember the wonderful times spent at Bittner’s resort which was owned by Vivian and Mark Berg!
We would drive up from Minneapolis to spend time at the resort to visit Mark, Vivian, Jack and Butch.
Many fond Memories for sure.
Today I have an assortment of Ducks carved by Jack! He was an amazing artist.
I went to Bitners about in the late 70s, our Lutheran pastor Tesman, encouraged my family and I to visit, if this is the same place the cabin came with a boat and the pier was just outside the cabin, we spent two weeks and we lived it, I been trying to figure out if this is the same place, it would be nice to visit again, I’m not a fisherman but I caught four gigantic northern and a couple of Bass, I forgotten who the young fellows name that ran the lodge but he would take the fish and fillet them for us. Any information about the lodge It would be appreciated.
Really nice to find this page. Every few years I do a search for Bittner’s or Jack Berg and was happy to see this discussion.
I used to go up to Bittner’s with my Mom and Dad in the late 70’s and early 80’s. My Dad was Richard Carlson, he went for years and years with my older brothers Richard Jr. and David. Maybe someone remembers them – that would have been in the late 50’s and 60’s.
I have very fond memories of Big Balsam and Bittner’s. Staying in the cabins, the A-frame, and eventually in the “fancy” cabin 21 (the last built, I believe). Catching Bass and Northern in the lake, Crappie fishing at dusk right off “the island”, going under the “bridge’ from Big Balsam into the neighboring lake, and especially going on “excursions” with my Dad and Jack.
We’d leave early, Jack would have either a boat in the back of his pickup, or we’d drive out somewhere where he would always have a boat stashed in the woods. I remember sitting in the middle of that cab, firing down backroads for ages until we got to a quiet, peaceful and empty lake. Then the 3 of us would cast off and Jack would tell stories and dirty jokes. Also ingrained in my memory is the fish-cleaning hut out behind the lodge. haha, what a memory.
After I got into high school, we just stopped going. Life got in the way or some other bad excuse. I know my Dad kept in touch with Jack for years later. I know they sold the resort off at some point in the 80’s or 90’s? Maybe someone knows the timeframe.
I have my parents’ collection of Jack Berg carved ducks as well. Some are a little worse for the wear, but they’ve been cared for by us for probably 45 to 50 years. They remind me of hearing the Loons across the lake.
Hi folks I enjoyed your conversation regarding bittner’s resort I also went there in the seventies with Zamis boys from Ohio. Their parents enjoyed their honeymoon there probably in the 50s and continue to go after that many years. I do remember Jack and Mark. Mark was a bit more of the business type and Jack was the wild child but a fun great man. And their mother who did the cooking at the lodge I believe her name was Vivian I may be wrong but she was the sweetest thing sometimes I’d rather hang out with her and help her cook as opposed to drinking with the other men. The lodge was a great quiet relaxing place large dining room area with books and beautiful wall hangings in my mind that would be heaven.
Thank you Mr bittner… Or I guess their last name was Berge?
Hope all is in great health and have a wonderful Merry Christmas.
My parents owned Long Lake Lodge. I remember Jack was a friend of my brother Bob Perrizo. Jack and his brother would occasionally come to the bar. I stayed at bitners resort in the 70’s for my sister Kathy’s wedding reception which was at Balsom Hall.
ps- Do you remember the log cabins down the hill below the lodge? My dad helped Ernie build them before I was born. Did you remember Jake? He always stayed much of the summer in the first cabin on the left after you went down the hill.
Hi Charles,
I finally found a mention of Ernie Bittner’s Lodge. I vaguely remember Ernie, but it was Mark Berg who was running it when our family went there in the early 60’s. Mark was my father’s chef at St. Cloud College then. He and his wife had 2-3 sons, one named Jack? My late father Ray and late brother Neil Herringshaw loved fishing there.
Do you have any info about the Berg family? One of the son’s girlfriend was working with wolves. Who owns the lodge now?
I sent the same reply to Jim Staley.
Hello. I went to Bitner’s resort in the 50″s. Ernie took us fishing & Mildred cooked our fish. I will look for pictures.
Do you have anymore pics of Bittner’s Resort on Big Balsam Lake. I’ve been going there since 1951. Now I have a cabin on the old resort.
Hi Jim,
I finally found a mention of Ernie Bittner’s Lodge. I vaguely remember Ernie, but it was Mark Berg who was running it when our family went there in the early 60’s. Mark was my father’s chef at St. Cloud College then. He and his wife had 2-3 sons, one named Jack? My late father Ray and late brother Neil Herringshaw loved fishing there.
Do you have any info about the Berg family? One of the son’s girlfriend was working with wolves. Who owns the lodge now?
Do you have anymore pics of Bittner’s Resort on Big Balsam Lake. I’ve been going there since 1951. Now I have a cabin on the old resort.