Kristine Ann Berger

Kristine Ann Nelson Berger, longtime resident of Stillwater, passed from Earth on Nov. 15, 2009, after a heroic battle with cancer. Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 2, 1945, to Harold Nelson and Millie Nelson, she moved to Stillwater in 1946. She and Jerry L. Berger were married in 1961.Kris and Jerry spent the last 40 years as small business owners in the Stillwater area, including Berger Auto Sales and Antiques and Collectibles by JLK. You may have met her at one of the estate sales they conducted during the last few years — she was the one with the big smile and friendly greeting.She is survived by her husband, Jerry Berger; daughter and son-in-law Sandie and Ray Skiba and grandchildren Steven and Sara, Omaha, Neb.; daughter and son-in-law Kim and Craig Reed, Virginia Beach, Va.; sisters Sherri Chapman and husband John, Austin, Texas, Linda Coughlin and husband Pat, Nacogdoches, Texas; and brothers John Nelson and wife Cindy, Stillwater, and David Nelson, Florida.She was pre-deceased by her brother, Mark Nelson.Kris was not one to ask "Why me?" Rather she considered each day a gift from God and remained positive, upbeat, happy, laughing and loving. She focused on the blessings of family and friends and lived her life to the fullest. While she was not anxious to leave her friends and family, she had great faith that she would again be reunited with them. She passed knowing she was loved by many. Kris left a wonderful gift in this world and is now at peace.A graveside service will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. at Fairlawn Cemetery. Friends and family and are welcome. Memorials may be made to Judith Karman Hospice, P.O. Box 818, Stillwater, OK, 74076, or the American Cancer Society. The family kindly requests no flowers.