"Dear Sue and your family, I do not know all of your brothers and sisters. Will you please share this note with them? I was at your Mother's funeral Mass. As I watched all of you come in and leave, I was struck with the thought of how proud of you your mother had to be. All of you looked so good and so properly attired. I could just imagine your mother looking down from heaven and feeling so happy with every one of you. You know you were her life. I feel a little similiarity in my life with yours. My mother lost my Dad to a farm accident. I was 3; my brother was 4 1/2. Mom used to say in our growing up years," I don't know what I would have done without you kids. You were what kept me going." I think your mother felt the same way. My visits with her were few; but always she had news to share about some one of you. You know there's one last thing that you can do now, if you aren't already. Your mother's faith in the Lord was the real heart of her existence. She knew the power of prayer. Anyone who made as many rosaries as your mother did had to be close to the Blessed Mother, too. IF YOU AREN'T ALREADY,I urge you to reach out to Jesus and give Him your heart, your hurts, your needs, your fears, your hopes, your sins- your all & all. Nothing could increase your mother's heavenly JOY more than to know all of her children are heaven-bound too. May God bless and enfold you in His loving arms and give you comfort at this temporary loss of your mother. With love and prayers, Barb Vaske"
In loving memory of
Theresa B. Berger
June 24, 2009
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery ~ Wesley, Iowa
Theresa Bernadette Berger was born August 21, 1925 in Buffalo Center, daughter of Louis Bernard and Josephine Elizabeth (Rosner) Lickteig. She grew up in Wesley graduating from Wesley High School in 1943 and then attended Teachers College and later graduated from the University of Northern Iowa.
Theresa was united in marriage to Paul John Berger on January 28, 1947 in Wesley Iowa. They lived in the Wesley, Livermore, Corwith, and Ventura area. Paul and their oldest son, John were killed in a car accident in October, 1963. Theresa moved her family to Algona where she taught 2nd grade at St. Cecelia Catholic Grade School retiring in 1990.
Theresa enjoyed singing, quilting, traveling, gardening and raising flowers. She loved spending time with her family and following her grandchildren's activities. She was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church being active in prayer groups, Rosary Makers, and the Choir. She also was a member of RSVP, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and being a leader of the Junior CD of A, a member of Opus Spiritus Sancti, and was a former member of the Teachers Association
Theresa B. Berger died Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at Kossuth Regional Hospital, at the age of 83.
She is survived by nine children, Judith Mann and her husband John of Deerfield, IL, James Berger of Vancouver, WA, Gerald Berger and his wife Debbie of Glen Ellyn, IL, Peter Berger and his wife Linda of Ames, Mary Chase and her husband Dr. Chris of Brookings, SD, Thom Berger and his wife Su of Clear Lake, Susan Sabin and her husband Robert of Lakota, Steven Berger and his wife Cathy of Belleview, IL, and P. Eugene Berger of Fort Dodge; 23 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers and one sisters, Albert Lickteig and his wife Marie of Algona, Marge Kenyon of Algona, Robert Lickteig and his wife Mary of Bosman, MT, and Tom Lickteig and his wife Marilyn of Waukee; two sisters-in-law, Joyce Lickteig of Algona, and Irene Elbert of Whittemore; two brothers-in-law, Leon Berger and his wife Joann of Plainsville and Marvin Berger and his wife Mary Jo of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul and son John; and two brothers, Edward and George Lickteig.
Tributes
"Sorry to read of the loss of your mother.I do not know your family.Just wished to offer my condolences to the family. The Bible's promise of a resurrection is a sure hope.(John 5:28,29) May happy memories and love of family and friends and the Bible's promise comfort you all in the days ahead."
"To the family of Theresa Berger, Theresa was a respected member of the Opus Spiritus Sancti community and her presence will be deeply missed. Her deep faith in God and her commitment to the work of our community was an inspiration to us all. On behalf of all our members worldwide, I wish to extend our sympathy and promise you our prayers. May God provide you with strength in the coming days. Sincerely, Arlene Branick International Leader of the Community of Apostolic Christians in the Opus Spiritus Sancti"
"To the Berger family, your mother was one of my favorite teachers ever. My heart is with you as I have lost my mother, father, and mother in law in the last 4 months. "
"Mary & Family, I so enjoyed meeting your Mom when she visited Brookings. God's peace to you all, The Kool Family"
"Sue, Bob and family - Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We are sorry that we could not be there but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. With much love, Tony & Julie Garry"
"Berger Family Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I know we haven't been in close contact through the years,but we all loved Aunt Theresa and talked about all of you all the time. Once again we are all thinking of you at the time of your loss. Karla(Berger)Sebesta "
"Sue and Bob and family You have my deepest sympathy at this time of sorrw and loss of your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers."
"To all my cousins and their families, We just heard about Theresa's death and we are sadden by the news. Theresa was always special to us and we always felt welcomed in her family. She will be greatly missed by all. Julie, Kaitlin, and Jaelin Berger"
"You have our deepest sympathy. I have a lot of found memories of your mother, Judy and all of you "kids",from 4H, church and school. Love and Prayers "
"Sue & Bob, Wanting to send our sympathy to you in the loss of your dear mom. May your faith sustain you and your memories be sweet as you must go through this process of a final goodbye for now. Loving you today from Sioux Falls, SD. Richard & Carol Olson (who formerly worked there in Bancroft and so appreciated both of you!)"
"My thoughts and prayers are with your family and am so sorry to learn of your loss. When I transferred from St. Benedict school to St. Cecilia's, she was my second grade teacher and made the transition very smooth...She has always been one of my favorite teachers. She will be missed. May you all find peace during your loss."
"To the Berger Family. When I received the notice from Steve that his mom passed away, my heart sank. I was then encouraged to hear that Steve will see his mom in heaven one day. I am sure that it is Theresa's hope that the entire extended Berger family make the family reunion in heaven by putting their full trust in Jesus Christ. May His grace and peace be with you in your time of loss."
"Steve & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless you and shine his grace on you in your time of loss. Jim, Gina & the girls."
"To all of Theresa's family, especially Sue, Just read about your Mom in this website. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. So sad that we just got back in contact with each other & then this has to happen. Wish I could do or say something to make you all feel better, but that is something than only God & time can do. I will pass this on to Rock out in MI. God Bless, "
"Berger Family, Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. You have our deepest sympathy. May she rest in peace in heaven with the angels."
"The Berger Family: I am so sorry for your loss and extend my sympathy. You know that Dad is up there greeting Aunt Thresa into the house of the Lord. She is at home now and at peace. Just remember I am here for your family if you need me. MY SYMPATHY Wendy M. Lickteig "
"Dear Family of Theresa, Your mom was my 4H leader, "way back when". I still use some of the recipes she taught us and shared with us. I learned a lot from her as a child. She was a very kind person. I remember coming to her house one Christmas season where we wrapped shelled nuts in old nylon stockings that had been cut up and then pinned them to a tree shaped styrofoam. She was a wonderful person and I'll always remember her fondly. Charla"