Berry, James William (1925-2005)
BERRY, COONEY, NELSON, KESTEL, HAMILTON, CLAUSEN, DEMERS, HOXIE
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/15/2010 at 18:08:34
James William “Bill” Berry - June 14, 1925 - Dec. 20, 2005
James William “Bill” Berry of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 20, 2005, at Buena Vista Manor in Storm Lake.
James William Berry was born June 14, 1925, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to John Michael and Ruth (Cooney) Berry. He was baptized as an infant into the Catholic faith. Bill graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Cherokee, Iowa, with the Class of 1944. He entered the United States Army on October 6, 1943, and served his country in the 13th Air-Born Division during World War II in France. On March 12, 1946, he was honorably discharged from service.
On August 24, 1948, Bill was united in holy matrimony to Katherine Nelson at the rectory of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee. The couple was blessed with three children: Barbara, Joan and Steve.
Bill was employed by Hy-Grade in Storm Lake for many years. He retired in 1981. He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. He enjoyed gardening and lovingly created and tended a beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables each year. He was also an avid golfer and sports fan.
A loving husband and devoted father, Bill treasured his family. In his later years, his grandchildren brought him special joy, and he attended all of their activities, never missing any of their events. He will be remembered and missed for the friendship he offered and for his ever-present care and concern for all those he loved.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Katherine of Storm Lake; daughter Barbara Kestel of Storm Lake; daughter Joan Hamilton of Storm Lake; son Steve (Janet) Berry of Storm Lake; granddaughter Leah (Chris) Clausen of Minneapolis, Minnesota; grandson Nick Kestel of Eagle Grove, Iowa; grandson Zach Hamilton of Chicago, Illinois; grandson Mike Kestel of Storm Lake; grandson Blake Berry and Brock Berry, both of Storm Lake; brothers Charles Berry of Cherokee, Iowa, and Jack (Avis) Berry of Cambridge, Minnesota; sister Marilyn (Robert) Demers of Storm Lake; sisters-in-law Maria Berry of Arnolds Park, Iowa, Marjorie Hoxie and Lois Nelson of Cherokee, Iowa; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John Michael and Ruth Berry; a sister, Eleanor Berry; and brothers Skyler Berry and Richard Berry.
Memorials in Bill’s honor may be made to Buena Vista County Hospice or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Funeral Mass for Mr. Berry will be celebrated on Friday, December 23, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake by Father Bruce Lawler. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake anytime after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2005, where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Legion of Mary Rosary will be recited at 3:30 at the funeral home as well as a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.
Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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