Leona Eveyln Berger

Leona Evelyn Berger, age 86, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 27, 2008, at her Brandon residence.

Leona was born on March 1, 1922, the daughter of Edward and Rose (Smith) Ferch, and lived in the Brandon area her entire life. She married Eldor O. Berger on January 28, 1945 in Brandon. Leona was employed at the Meenk Ranch near Waupun for several years, and she worked for many years in the laundry department at Parkview Care Center in Ripon. Leona had a generous heart and following her retirement from Parkview in 1986, she continued to assist the staff at the care center as a volunteer. Leona enjoyed being a grandmother and treasured spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed going for lunch with her good friends. She was a lifetime member of the Brandon United Methodist Church.

Leona is survived by her daughter, Lori and her husband Tim Nickel of Brownsville; seven grandchildren, Vicky (Scott) Lear, Hubertus, WI; Jody (Miwa) Vande Brink, Alpharetta, GA; Marsha (Brett) Geib, Pembine, WI; Ryan (Heather) Berger, Kingsford, MI; Scott, Gregory, and Casey Nickel, all of Brownsville; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harris (Dorothy) Ferch, Fond du Lac; Harold (Terry) Ferch, Ripon; and a son-in-law, Joseph Vande Brink of Ripon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband; her daughter Sharon Vande Brink; her son, John Berger; an infant grandson, Jeffery Vande Brink; and her longtime special friend, Marvin Riel.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2008 at the Brandon United Methodist Church, 107 East Washington St., Brandon, with Pastor Laura Yates officiating. Interment will follow in the Brandon Cemetery.

Friends may call on Monday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

A Memorial fund has been established for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.