Lorene E. Berger

Lorene E. Berger, 88, of Marysville, died February 24, 2020 at Cambridge Place in Marysville. Visitation will be Friday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 7 at the Berean Church in Marysville. Lorene Elaine Berger, 88, was born Nov. 30, 1931 to Herman and Evelyn (Crome) Holle near Bremen, KS. She was the oldest of four children and the only daughter. She attended Immanuel Lutheran Church and Parochial school where she completed the 8th grade. On April 16, 1950, she married Leonard Berger. They lived on the Berger family farm in the Afton community with their seven children. They were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Afton. Lorene stayed busy raising the children. She was a gifted seamstress, and not only sewed many of the family’s clothes, including men’s suits, and in later years clothes and sleeping bags for the grandkids, but also shared this knowledge as a 4-H clothing leader for 23 years. She was known for her culinary skills and catered weddings for 19 years. Her cakes were characteristically elaborate with detailed embellishments. Her children used to hope a cake would crack during baking or removal from the pan, knowing it meant they could eat it. The family also enjoyed Lorene’s delicious cinnamon rolls, donuts, homemade breads and whatever special homemade treat awaited them for an after-school snack. In addition to her involvement with 4-H and various County Extension programs, Lorene was also active in the Afton Ladies Aid and Mt. Hope Community Club. Lorene was employed with various jobs while raising her family including Tupperware Manager, Pony Express Truck Stop Restaurant, Marysville Bakery, Gibson’s and Grandview Restaurant. In 1984, she was diagnosed with a rare disease called Meige’s Syndrome. The symptoms progressively worsen similar to Huntington’s or Parkinson’s, making many daily activities a challenge. In February 2008, Leonard and Lorene moved to Cambridge Place. He preceded her in death on Nov. 1, 2008. Her biggest joy in life was her family. Survivors include her 7 children, Larry (Sue) Berger, Champaign, IL, Loren (Peggy) Berger, Stapleton, NE, Lila Bruna of Atchison, KS, Linda (Rick) Rawson, Ithaca, NY, Lonnie (June) Berger, Raleigh, NC, Luin (Mary Jo) Berger, Waterville, and Lynette (Frank) Shoemaker, Marysville; 18 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; three brothers, Armin (Mary) Holle, Gary (Joyce) Holle, all of Bremen, and Melvern (Janet) Holle, Oketo. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and an infant grandson. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lorene E. Berger, please visit our flower store.