Mary Ann Berling

Mary Ann Berling, 88, was peacefully ushered to heaven on Friday, November 14, 2025, surrounded by her family at her home in Windsor, Colorado where she lived since 2005. She was born on June 25, 1937 to Alfons and Delores (Werthmann) Kremer in Niobrara, Nebraska. Many memorable summers were spent at their grandparents' farm with her siblings. Mary Ann attended Holy Trinity Catholic School in Hartington, Nebraska and then Sacred Heart High School when the family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska. On November 17, 1954, she married Eugene Petersen in Tilden, Nebraska. While living in Nebraska they had four daughters, which kept her very busy. In 1959 they moved to Longmont, Colorado with their four girls to be closer to family. Mary Ann fell in love with the Rocky Mountains where the family spent many vacations camping, fishing and boating. During the girls school years she volunteered her time at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and involved in Girl Scouts as a leader and director. Mary Ann was a homemaker until 1969 when she began her retail career at Sears Roebuck. By the time she retired in 1986 earned her way up to Department Manager assisting in setting up several new store fronts. In 1973 the marriage with Eugene ended in divorce.

Mary Ann moved to Loveland, Colorado and met Robert Berling whom she married December 28, 1974. As members of Resurrection Fellowship Church, they traveled on a mission trip to help build a Bible school in Argentina in 1991 and 1992. Over the years they traveled across the United States, sailed several cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Panama Canal, and with Bob's consulting work they traveled overseas to Pakistan, Spain, Jordan, Israel, Philippines, and Europe. Mary Ann's favorite excursions were their travels to Israel walking where Jesus walked.

In 1982 they purchased land near Red Feather Lakes and built a mountain summer home they named "Reuben's Ranch". This filled Mary Ann's love of the mountains enjoying the serenity of the woods while watching the various wildlife and her special love of birds. In 1994 they became active members of Morning Star Community Church in Red Feather Lakes and helped build the current church building. The congregation became their dearest lifetime friends. In 1995 Bob and Mary Ann purchased a winter home in Mesa, Arizona and became "snowbirds" until 2005 when they purchased their home in Windsor, Colorado.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her gracious hosting, her joy of cooking and baking for many family gatherings, church potlucks, baptism Sundays at their lake, hobo dinners filled with food and music, and family weddings at Reuben's Ranch. Mary Ann was a skilled seamstress and cross stitcher, adorning many beautiful pieces of work in her home and as gifts to others. Over her lifetime, Mary Ann touched many lives with her care and generosity to family, neighbors, church family, coworkers and those she met on her travels. But most of all Mary Ann's legacy is that of her love of Jesus, her unwavering faith, and deep love for her family who she prayed for each day.

Mary Ann leaves behind her daughters Vickie Jacobson of Windsor, Cheryl Petersen of Loveland, Diane Seville of Loveland and Deb (Don) Cumpsten of Loveland; she was blessed with seven grandchildren, Tania (Steven) Holland, Sarah Wolf, Vanessa Porterfield (Brandon Hesser), Jon (Raylene) Cumpsten, Jared (Oriana) Cumpsten, Wesley Seville, and Christopher Smith; her blessings continued with seven great grandchildren, Jack, Matthias, Logan, Sophia, Grace, Landon and Bruin; her stepchildren Deborah (Ron) Thompson & family; Douglas Berling; and Gary (Quin) Berling & family; sister Betty Whitaker, brother-in-law David Rademacher and sister-in-law Judi (John) Francis; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Berling; grandson Charles Spaulding; son-in-law Steve Jacobson; brother Robert Kremer; sister Connie Rademacher and brother-in-law Don Whitaker.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Foundations Church, Loveland on December 1, 11:00 am with Pastor Steve Cummings officiating. Interment will be held a later date at Morning Star Memorial Garden in Red Feather Lakes.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mary Ann Berling may be made to:

Morning Star Community Church, P.O. Box 520, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545

The Alpha Center, 1212 So. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524

Pathways of Northern Colorado Palliative and Hospice Care (www.pathways-care.org) for their compassion, dedication and dignity they provided our Mother during her final days.

Mary Ann's epitaph is Psalms 31:3 as she lived her life:

"For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for your name's sake, lead me and guide me."