Verna M. Berken (Green) Our beloved mom, grandma and great-grandma passed away into the arms of Jesus at the age of 95 on Monday, October 1, 2018. Verna was born on November 13, 1922 in the Town of Freedom to Dora (Verhasselt) and John Green. Verna married Gerald (Jerry) Berken on May 5, 1951 at St. Nicholas Church in Freedom.
They made their home in Little Chute. Together they celebrated 47 years of marriage before his passing in October 1998. Together they raised 8 children.
Verna was a member of the Wrightstown American Legion Auxiliary and St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic Church. Verna loved to play with her grandchildren, go for walks, doing word searches, playing sheepshead and all kinds of card games. Her faith was her foundation and sustained her throughout her life.
She was an amazing mom, grandma, sister and friend to all and will be missed more than words can say. She is survived by her children: Ken (Becky), Bonnie (Dennis) Byrne, Don (Heidi), Rick, Diane (Duane) Diedrick, Brian (Kay), Jeff (Lisa) and Scott (Julie). Her 20 grandchildren: Todd (Carrie), Greg and Eric Berken, Chris (Miaoli), Marc (Marcia) and Samantha (Jake Raleigh) Byrne, Kristin (Ryan) Jefcik, Katie (Josh) Daramola, Jessie (Matt) Nelson, Ben (Ashley White) Pynenberg and Jeremiah Berken, Courtney, Elizabeth and Morgan Diedrick, Rachel and Derrick Berken, JJ, Zach, Noah and Ian Berken.
Her 7 great-grandchildren: Blake, Caleb, Finnigan, Honesty, Payton, Hadassah & Tessa. She is also survived by her Brothers-and sisters-in-law: Jim Van Vreede, Bud Bowers, Lorraine Berken, Rita Berken, Bernice & Jerry Bruecker and Mary Berken, many nieces, nephew, and friends. Verna was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her parents Dora & John, her father and mother in law, Hubert (Al) & Virginia Berken, her brother and sisters, Norb (Harriet), Bill (Lorraine), Florence (Leo) Schmidt, Frances Moudrey (Leo Weiland & Harry Moudrey), Rosella (Orin) Kortz, Vince (Elaine), Esther Van Vreede, John (Germaine), Bob (Beady), Eleanor Bowers and Charlotte Green.
Her brothers-and sisters-in-law, Gordy Berken, Lloyd (Blanche) Berken, Margie Sprierings (Ed Spierings & Dorothy Spierings), Emmett Berken, Mae (Pete) Kuepper and Dale Berken. Visitation will be Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 323 S. Pine Street, Little Chute, from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 5:00 p.m. Interment will be at St. John Cemetery, Little Chute. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
For online condolences, please visit www. verkuilenfh.com. Special THANK YOU to Kelli and all the special ladies at Helen’s House in Kaukauna for your loving care of our mom over the past few years and to Rennes of De Pere for all the special care you gave to our mom and us during the last week of her life.
We can’t thank you enough. Rick and Diane thank you, thank you, thank you for all you did for mom. Mom, fly high.
We love you and will miss you!
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