Berkenpas, Lillian R. 1920-2019

BERKENPAS, PLUEGER, WEBER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2019 at 15:33:00

Lillian “Lil” Berkenpas, 99, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Friday, June 21, 2019 at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars. Reverend Chris Meier will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Lil’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, Life Skills Training Center in Le Mars, or a charity of your choice.

Lillian Rosina Plueger was born March 11, 1920 on the family farm in Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa, the daughter of Will and Fannie (Weber) Plueger. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars. She attended country school in Preston Township.

She was united in marriage to William Berkenpas on January 21, 1941 at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township. They farmed in Plymouth County for many years. Bill passed away December 27, 1993. In 1994, Lil moved into Le Mars.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, Plymouth County Farm Bureau, Le Mars Eagle’s Club Auxiliary, and the Le Mars Senior Center. Through the years, she enjoyed playing pinochle and taking many bus trips. Lil lived life to the fullest. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter, Bonnie Harms of Le Mars; her son, Gary (Judy) Berkenpas of Le Mars; her grandchildren: Lorie Weiler of Remsen, IA, Rick (Sherri) Harms of Remsen, IA, Mark (Theresa Sonnleitner) Berkenpas of West Des Moines, IA, Gina (Tim) Allen of Seattle, WA, Tori Berkenpas (Patrick Young) of West Des Moines, IA, and a “special” granddaughter in law, LaShell Berkenpas of Norwalk, IA; 13 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; two sisters: Fern Schulz of Le Mars and Joyce Staum of Akron, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Will and Fannie Plueger; her husband, Bill Berkenpas; a son in law, Lanny Harms; a grandson in law: Tim Weiler; her father and mother in law: Jake and Bertha Berkenpas; and several brothers and sisters in law.

~LeMars Daily Sentinel, Tuesday, June 25, 2019