Michael J. Berken

Michael John Berken passed away peacefully on August 24, 2024, in Rochester, MN after a hard fought battle with Giant Cell Arteritis. Mike was born on June 5,1955 to Ray and Rosemary Berken. Mike was a proud graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School. He graduated from Premontre High School and used his newspaper route money to pay for his own tuition.
Mike married Jean (Bowers) Berken on August 14, 1976. To say they were soulmates is an understatement. Their relationship is admired by all who know them. Mike and Jean had two children, Emily and Benjamin.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Mike was hired at Pulaski High School where he taught mathematics for 36 years. Mike's impact to young people will live on for many years. Mike was named Secondary Teacher of the Year for the Pulaski School District in 1990-1991. The next year, Mike won an Award of Excellence as High School Teacher of the Year from The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In 1996 Mike received the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Excellence in Teaching Award on behalf of a former student. In 2011 Mike was awarded a Recognition of Commitment and Service from Tony Evers, State Superintendent of The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. In 2020, Mike was inducted into the Notre Dame Triton Academic and Athletic Hall of Fame. Mike earned his Masters Degree in Mathematics at University of WI-Oshkosh and finished his teaching career at St. Norbert College.
Mike loved all sports, especially the game of baseball. He started coaching with the Green Bay Babe Ruth Association in the 1970s for four years before spending 32 years coaching at Pulaski High School. He was head coach for 16 seasons - winning 143 games, three regional championships and making one sectional final appearance. He also received the honor of coaching at the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Classic in 2009, which was one of the highlights of his coaching career. Mike was part of 656 baseball games. As a coach, he focused on teaching his ball players to be better people, not just better baseball players. In recent years he has loved playing sports with his grandchildren and watching them compete.
As a true Green Bay resident, Mike loved the Packers. He missed only a few home games over the years, attended the Ice Bowl and loved a good tailgate party. He was an owner and season ticket holder. In retirement, he became a Lambeau Field Tour guide, and he couldn't believe they paid him to do such a fun job.
Mike had many hobbies, most notably his woodworking. He custom made cabinets, bookshelves, wine hutches, and anything else his family and friends asked him to make. He was also an avid golfer and loved his weekly Wednesday morning golf outings with friends. Mike was also a runner, completing 7 marathons. Jean helped him train for each one, biking alongside to pass him water as needed. He also loved horses, enjoyed reading, going for walks, and playing board games. However, more than anything, Mike loved spending time with his Jean. They loved to travel and had annual trips to watch Big10 softball tournaments, hike amongst waterfalls, and spend time with friends in Cape Coral, FL. Their favorite trips were to visit their 5 grandchildren in Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Mike always said that if he knew how much fun grandkids were, he would have had them first.
Mike is survived by his wife, Jean (Bowers); his children, Emily (Robb) Weidemann and Ben (Courtney) Berken; his grandchildren, Jarrett and Amara Weidemann and Zoey, Ruby, and Maylee Berken; his Mother-in-law, Gerry Bowers; his siblings, Craig (Kathy) Berken, Tony (Bonnie) Berken, Mary Rae (Jerry) Johnson, Kitti (Victor) Rodriguez, Karen (Mike) Watermolen; his in-laws, John (Nancy) Bowers, Karen (Steve) Petasek, and Kathy (Jesse) Paider; and many more family and friends.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Rosemary Berken; his father-in-law, Pat Bowers, his sister, Patti Berken; and his niece, Heather Lynn Dantoin.
The family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic doctors and nurses for all they did to help Mike battle Giant Cell Arteritis. Given the extreme rarity of his condition, Mike will be supporting scientific research with an autopsy in hopes of finding a cure. He will also be donating his organs to support others in extending their lives.
Family and friends can join in celebrating Mike's life at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Thursday, August 29 from 4:00-7:00pm. Visitation on Friday, August 30 AT CHURCH from 9:30am-10:30am, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that memorial gifts be designated to Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in memory of Mike. Donations to the Mayo Clinic can be made by phone, online or mail.
*Phone – Call 1-855-852-8129 to talk with a Gift Processing Associate
*Online – https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc and under "tribute information" indicate this is a memorial gift
*Mail – Send a check to Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Michael J. Berken, please visit our floral store.