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Brian Berte Obituary

Brian George Berte, 43, of Phoenix, passed away on Saturday, May 26, as the result of a massive stroke. Brian was born in Kansas City, Mo., on April 14, 1964, the firstborn child of Mary and George Berte. The Berte's, originally from Iowa, returned to their home state in 1975, where Brian attended LuVerne Community High School, graduating in 1982. He attended North Iowa Area Community College following high school. After his education, Brian began a nearly 23-year career with NAPA Auto Parts, starting in Norman, Okla., then in Kansas City, Kan., and finally in Phoenix, Ariz., to be near family. At the time of his passing, he also was working parttime at Home Depot in Scottsdale, Ariz. Brian remains in our thoughts forever defined by his tremendous heart. The love he gave to all of us - family and friends alike - will be the thread that sews us together and keeps us alive in our grief. We'll forever remember his lifelong addiction to the Kansas City Chiefs Football Team and his passion for heavy metal music. Brian was a history buff and was particularly educated in United States Civil War History. He made friends easily and befriended those in need. He was loved so deeply by his family and friends. He leaves behind a tremendous sense of loss in all those who loved him. Brian is survived by his adoring parents, Mary and George Berte; sister Brenda and her husband Paul Fischer; sister Barbara and her husband Brad Hahn, and their two children, Brian's beloved nephew and niece, Spencer, 4, and Sidney, 1; his former wife, Melanie; and many cherished relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, May 31, at 10 a.m., at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3001 E. Greenway Road in Phoenix. Interment to follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 23015 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. Donations in memory of Brian can be made to Hospice of the Valley, Sherman Home, 5801 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kansas City Star on May 29, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Berte

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Lawrence Dubreuil

June 23, 2007

To the Family of Brian Berte, I had known Brian the last 5 years working for the NAPA store on Scottsdale Rd, I would see him every morning as i would go to the "DC" and pick up the stores daily items as the "Shuttle Driver", He allways had a smile on his face and never a bad word to anybody that i heard of, from all of us at Store 25 we want you to know how deeply sorry we are for your loss and for ours too, he will be MISSED !!!

Jim, Patti, Cassie & Alesha Carroll

June 19, 2007

George, Mary, Barbara & Brenda--As we continue to live our lives day by day, Brian is always on our minds. It may be a song on the radio, a look between friends, or a Home Depot commercial that brings us to tears and tugs at our hearts to share a special memory of Brian with those around us. We have so many wonderful memories of Brian and cherish each and every one of them. He will be missed by all who knew him and especially by those of us that loved him. Thank you for the picture and may the memories you have ease your pain and give comfort to you when you need it most.

Dennis Wieneke

June 11, 2007

To the Berte family...my prayers are with you. I just found out today and am shocked. Brian was a wonderful person and I worked with him at the NAPA here in KC for a couple years and learned what a great person he was. He will be sorely missed.

Jim, Cyndi, Bailey & Preston Kohlhaas

June 7, 2007

George, Mary, Brenda & Barbara

We are thinking of you this week and are praying for you as try to continue in the days ahead. Not a day will go by that we won’t think of Brian and smile. The memories are priceless.

To Brian - thanks for allowing our Barbie dolls to vacation in your room when we were kids.. .the Barbies will never be the same! I don’t think you know how many lives you touched, but you really were an exceptional guy who brought out the best in all. We love you and you will be missed!

Diana Sproul

June 6, 2007

Dear Mary and family, your loss is so great and we miss you being close by to give your family the support you all need. Love and God Bless each of you. Your friend from City Hall..

Michael & Lisa Rogers

June 6, 2007

George, Mary, Brenda & Barbara: We are continuing to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. George & Mary, What a great job you did in raising your only son...he truly was a gem! His laugh was infectious and he was so much fun to be around. The positive and funny memories of Brian go on and on. We will all miss him dearly.

Steve and Kim Weber

June 5, 2007

The Berte Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. It was a great pleasure to experience the entertainment value of high school and the joys of life in Brian's company. These great times will never be forgotten. We all know that Brian is enjoying heaven flying on Angel's wings - fly high my friend. Until we meet again.

LeRoy, Jodie, Kaitlea, Riley Toohey

June 2, 2007

George, Mary family and friends, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you. To Brian, Keep watching the Chiefs, you have the best seat now from high above. Every game I watch or hear on the radio, I will be thinking of you.

Denny and Kira Carroll

June 1, 2007

In the little that I got to meet Brian, he seemed to be a very nice and caring individual. Mary,George, Brenda, and Barb we are thinking of you always. We wish you the best and I wish I could've been there for yous.

Denny appreciated all the memmories and special time he spent with you while out there for the funeral. He is sorry he couldn't have expressed all that he was feeling at the wake!! Take care and call if you need anything!

Brian-THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD TIMES! I WILL HAVE MEMMORIES OF YOU TO LAST A LIFETIME!

Alice May Stotts

June 1, 2007

My prayers are with you at this time.

My sympathy to you Mary and your family.

Shawn George

June 1, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief. Brian was a great guy. Spent many nights in the aldo nova listening to music I never heard of but now love - Godspeed to the family.

Roger Hardcopf and Family

May 31, 2007

George, Mary, Brenda, and Barbara,
I can't begin to comprehend the pain you are experiencing for your loss. Brian was a kind and loving person. I will always remember him with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart. I can only hope and pray that time will soon help to heal your aching hearts. Respectfully,

Brad Zellers

May 31, 2007

You are a good friend and I will always remember the Susan Zellers "Kitchen cuts" and all the great times we had after her work was done. What a time we had at all the football games and sports events. You were always a fun loving easy going guy to hang with. See you when I see you.

Brad

Brian and Angie Hood

May 30, 2007

To the family of Brian Berte-your son and brother gave us great joy in life and always made us smile. There will always be memories of him and I'm sure the LuVerne crowd will talk about stories for years to come. Your all in our thoughts and prayers.
To Brian Berte-I'll never forget the lifesize poster of Alice Cooper in your room. Thank you for the home-made cassette tapes you have sent me over the years. You will be missed and you will always be in our hearts.
Hats off to the Aldo Nova years-Rock on forever my good friend!!

Mike & Theresa (Toohey) Reardon

May 30, 2007

George, Mary, Brenda, Barbara and families: We are sharing your grief so deeply here in Iowa and wish we could be with you in person. Memories of growing up with Brian will last forever in our hearts. God Bless. Love Always,

vern and laura Toohey

May 30, 2007

George,Mary and family,
We were heart-broken to here of the
lose of Brian. I'll always rememberthose long summer days of fishing, and a few things I won't mention. Love you forever buddy!

Donna & Jeremy Pringnitz (Carroll)

May 30, 2007

I don't know what to say other than you are in my every thought - I wish I could be there to hug your tears away....wishing you peace in the days ahead. I love you guy's!

Karen Fischer

May 30, 2007

Dear George and Mary and Family,
Your in my thoughts and prayers. May healing begin with family and friends during this difficult time.
from Karen Fischer(daughter of Mrs. Rosemary Fischer)

Tom Youngwirth

May 30, 2007

My prayers and thoughts for your family and Brian. It was my privilage to have known Brian and experience his great personality. I share in your loss of him.

Monte and Evelyn Toohey

May 30, 2007

Dearest Mary George and family.
Our prayers are with all of you. Our memories of Brian as a little boy will go on forever.May God give you strength.

Jan, Larry and Brian Freymuller

May 30, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve. No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. With deepest sympathy.

Ray Anthony Ulatan

May 30, 2007

Hi there Mr. and Mrs. Berte. This is one of Brian's Co-Worker sending my feelings out to Brian letting him know that I Ray Ulatan miss and will always love you bro. I barely started working at Napa and barely working there met one guy that I knew could share my laughter with. You know Brian what our laughs was about but to see you not there anymore makes me wonder who can I laugh with now? To the family of Brian I give my deepest sympathy and want to let you guys know you are not alone. GODBLESS BRIAN AND THE REST OF THE BERTE FAMILY!!!
TO BRIAN, "HANDLE IT."
YOUR FRIEND AND CO-WORKER FROM NAPA WITH MUCH LOVE,
RAY ANTHONY ULATAN

Carol Fischer

May 29, 2007

My deepest sympathy goes to you and your family. May your great memories of Brian help bring you comfort at this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jeff & Tracy Weber

May 29, 2007

Very sorry to hear of the passing of my friend Iggy. He was a great character. I think you might be able to blame me for some of the love of Heavy Metal. It just makes us feel better.He will be missed very much. Gods blessings to all the family and friends at this difficult time.

John Carroll

May 29, 2007

Bird-Man, may you always fly high in the Aldo-Nova.
I will always have great memories of our many travels and adventures.
Lizard Brothers Forever

Ronald and Laura Finley and Family

May 29, 2007

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss, our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.

Peace, Prayers, and Blessings,

Dean and Ann Carroll-Menke

May 29, 2007

Our deepest sympathy goes out to you.

Lori Berte

May 29, 2007

To the George and Mary Berte Family

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I feel terrible about your loss.
Lori Berte

Joe Youngwirth

May 29, 2007

You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We will always have great
memories of the times with Brian
Joe & Diana Youngwirth

Mike, Jan & Caelyn Capesius

May 29, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have been reminiscing about the fun times had with Brian. I keep hearing the words "Blue Nova " and lots of laughter

Brent and Corinna Hefty

May 29, 2007

You are in our thoughts and prayers!

May 29, 2007

It has been a long time since I have seen any of you guys. My heart goes out to you. You have been in my prayers.

Love, Angie (Berte) Peters

Janet and Howard (daughter of Rosemary Fischer) Gray

May 29, 2007

Our thoughts are prayers are with you and your family during this time of grief.

May your loving memories of Brian help you during this difficult time.

Conrad Lamb

May 29, 2007

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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