Mrs. Jacqueline Ann Schmidlkofer Berrens, age 77 of Florence, passed away Tuesday, February 12 due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Visitation will be Friday, February 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with the Rosary at 8:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 16 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father John O’Donnell, O.S.B. and Deacon Steve Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Jackie was born March 9, 1941, in Florence, Alabama to George and Lula Mae Schmidlkofer. She was a 1959 graduate of Coffee High School and later that same year married the love of her life, David Berrens. She was retired from International Fertilizer Development Center.
She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she was active with the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and the Ladies Altar Society. She and her church friends founded the St. Michael’s Loaves and Fishes which continues to lovingly prepare weekly meals for the sick and shut-ins. With the gracious help of other parishioners, she began the St. Michael’s Christmas Sharing Committee.
Some of her happiest times were those spent visiting the priests and nuns at St. Bernard and Sacred Heart in Cullman, Alabama, as they all held a very special place in her heart. Jackie was active with Shoals Save-a-Life and the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. She loved being a part of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and considered these ladies her “sisters”.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She cherished time with her children and grandchildren and gave them precious memories that will last a lifetime. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents, George and Lula Mae Schmidlkofer.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, David Berrens, her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Berrens White, son, David Joseph (Joe) Berrens, Jr. and wife Deona, grandsons, Bradley Austin McMurtrey and David J. Berrens, III, granddaughter, Darby Katherine Berrens, sister, Betty Jo Peters, brother, James Daniel Schmidlkofer and wife Glenda, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Active pallbearers will be grandsons, Bradley Austin McMurtrey, David J. Berrens, III, and nephews, Keith Peters, Greg Peters, Bill Connolly, and Chris Connolly. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Krieger, Charlie Meyer, Joe Kasmeier, Mike Schmidlkofer, and Billy Richardson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Loaves and Fishes, Shoals Save-a-Life, or the ALS Association, P.O. Box 37022, Boone, Iowa 50037.
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