Grandma Berger

Some sad news – Grandma Berger went to heaven.  She found out she was sick over the holidays.  We went up to see Grandma Berger a couple of times, once during her Celebration of Life.  You were so excited to see her – you gave her hugs and kisses and pointed out her blue dress! 

Grandma Berger when to see God and her family and friends in heaven on 1/30.  As you grow up, you probably won’t remember her a lot, but Grandma Berger loved you soo much!  She was the kindest person and never had anything bad to say about anyone.  One of Grandma Berger’s favorite things to do was to spend time with kids.  She helped out at preschool for about 20 years and could not have enough grandchildren.  When we found out I was pregnant with you – Grandma was sooo excited, she planned for a shower and gave me a little rabbit pin.  However, you decided to come and join the world early, as a tiger.  Grandma immediately got out the sewing machine and made a little sleeper with a tiger on it.  Mama and baba will really miss Grandma Berger but we are happy to know she is in heaven and watching over you.  Here is Grandma's obituary:

Jean Marie Berger, 65, of St. Cloud passed away on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at her home with family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services celebrating her life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints (1420 29th Avenue North, St. Cloud) with visitation beginning at 12 Noon. Bishop Tom Walsh will officiate. Burial will be private at a later date.

Jean was born on January 1, 1948 in Mankato, Minnesota to Donald and Edna (Isakson) Nitzkowski. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1966 and was united in marriage to Donald Berger on December 16, 1967 in Jessenland, Minnesota. They moved to St. Cloud in 1973, and after raising their five children, Jean was a paraprofessional at Washington and Roosevelt Preschools. After retirement, Jean continued to volunteer with the preschool classes at Roosevelt and was fondly known as “Grandma Jean.” Jean was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club, Central MN Noon Optimist Club and the PTA.

Jean enjoyed gardening, walking, volunteering and nature. She was a wildlife advocate.

She is survived by her husband Don of St. Cloud; children, Chris (Pete) Knutson of Sartell, Mike (Holly) of Andover, Bob (Kim) of Avon, Bill (Anne) of Minnetonka, John of St. Cloud; 13 grandchildren; and siblings, Nancy Burger of Mankato, Don (Ilene) Nitzkowski of Woodbury and Tom (Julie) Nitzkowski of Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother-in-law, Norb Burger.

A special thank you to the staffs of St. Croix Hospice, Health Partners Clinic, CentraCare and the University of Minnesota-Fairview.