Doreene Gail Berning

In loving memory of Doreene Gail Berning

A Life of Devotion, Generosity, and Cherished Memories

Doreene Gail Berning, age 86, of Monticello, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 8th. She was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, friend, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose devotion to her family and her Yorkshire Terriers was unparalleled.

Doreene and her husband, Norman, were dedicated caretakers to five Yorkshire Terriers throughout the years, with their current companion, Precious, holding a special place in Doreene's heart. Her affection for her family was evident in her thoughtful traditions-each year, she would personally call and sing "Happy Birthday" to every child and grandchild. Birthday celebrations were marked by luncheons, where each honoree received a carefully selected candle and a jar of raspberry jam, gifts she ensured were of equal value by meticulously tracking her expenses. She also ensured that each birthday celebration was captured in a photo that she was proud to share with others.

Doreene's culinary talents were also well-known; her "Ragu" spaghetti, served with grated canned parmesan, Christmas cookies, and dill pickles, delighted her grandchildren and family at every gathering.

As fate would have it, Doreene made the wisest decision to hire our sweet Avon lady, Stella, who ended up providing childcare and doing some housekeeping for many years.

A lover of travel, Doreene and Norman spent many years enjoying their timeshares in Mexico and embarking on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and New England. Her daughters cherished celebrating her birthdays with her, joining her on memorable trips to New York, Las Vegas, Savannah, Hilton Head Island, Massachusetts, Iowa, Florida and a special surprise Luke Bryan concert in Peoria, Illinois. Visits to Castle La Crosse Bed and Breakfast, where she spent time with her grandson Brandon, were fondly remembered.

Speaking of travel, Doreene was a two footed driver. We didn't understand how she could drive with both feet, but it worked for her. She proudly had a sporty red Camaro for a while – she loved fancy cars.

Doreene and Norman were also lovers of magazines. We often were given a bag of magazines to take home when visiting them. If you "forgot" your bag, they would drop it off at your house!

Doreene was recognized for her intelligence, generosity, and willingness to help others. She took immense pride in her strong work ethic, completing 46 years of service alongside patent attorney Nicholas Westman. Their professional compatibility led her to accompany him through several law firms. Doreene continued to work until the age of 75, after which she embraced new hobbies including cake decorating, quilting, and organ playing. Her quilting was especially intricate, and she took great joy in sharing her latest patterns and designs with visitors. Every grandchild was gifted a Christmas tree skirt, lovingly crafted by her hands.

Music held a special place in Doreene's life. She enjoyed listening to Tom Jones, Glen Campbell, and Elvis Presley, and recently attended an Elvis impersonator concert at the Medina Ballroom. Simple pleasures, such as motorcycle rides with Norman (often accompanied by a Yorkshire terrier), square dancing and attending craft fairs, brought her much happiness.

Doreene is survived by her devoted husband, Norman Berning; her daughters Denise (Thom), Laurie (Keith), Linette (Tim), and Suzanne (Jay); 11 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Chrystine (Hirschfield) Klempke, and Edwin Otto Klempke, and her brother, Gary Klempke.

Honorary urn bearer is her grandson, Logan Bergevin. Honorary gift bearers are her grandchildren, Nicholas Rigger and Kirsten Jacobson.

Doreene's enduring legacy is one of love, fairness, dedication, and the cherished bonds of family.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Doreene Berning will be held on Friday, November 14th at 11:00 A.M. at The St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, MN.

Inurnment St. Michael Cemetery in St. Michael, MN.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 13th AT THE CHURCH from 4-7 P.M. Further visitation Friday morning, November 14th one hour prior to Mass.

Urn Bearer will be Logan Bergevin.

The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home in St. Michael is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com