Theresa V. (Brill) Bergs

Theresa V. Bergs, age 84, passed away gently in her sleep Saturday, December 24, 2011, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born in Colby, Wisconsin, on August 10, 1927, to the late Theodore and Magdalena (Nee: Hoffman) Brill. Nicknamed “Toots,’ she grew up on the family farm helping to milk their herd of Guernsey cows before and after school each day. Toots attended Wisconsin State Teacher College in Stevens Point and taught at the Ferrell School, a one-room schoolhouse in Marathon County for several years before moving to Milwaukee, where she earned her BA in education from UWM.

On June 16, 1952, she married Robert H. Bergs, her beloved “Bob,” and for almost 60 years their love for each other, deep faith in God and generous nature was an inspiration to all who knew them. Toots was an active member of St. Elizabeth Parish and Our Lady of Good Hope in Milwaukee and volunteered for numerous organizations. For over 20 years she and her quilting group created many beautiful quilts for auctions and other fundraisers. After moving to Racine in 2009, she and Bob joined St. Rita’s Parish and attended Mass faithfully until it was no longer possible. Toots had a lifelong love of learning, was a talented seamstress, patient teacher, excellent baker with an endless supply of chocolate chip cookies, a loyal Brewers fan, keen vegetable gardener and could resourcefully feed a big crowd on a moment’s notice. Above all, Toots was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose love for her family seemed to shine even brighter on Christmas Eve as she gathered everyone around in celebration of Christ’s birth. It is fitting that for years to come, December 24th, the holiest of nights, will evoke glad memories of Toots and great joy that she is with God.

Theresa is survived by her children, Mary Bergs, John (Kathy) Bergs, Dr. Joseph (Carrie) Bergs, Carol (Jim) Jilek; her grandchildren, Laura and Vicki Bergs, Teddy and Matthew Bergs, Elizabeth and Kenny Jilek; sisters, Sr. Jolita Brill FSPA, Sr. Clarone Brill FSPA, Rita Sweet; and brother, Joseph Brill; and many other dear relatives and friends. In addition to her dear husband, Bob, who passed away earlier this month, she was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Edward; and sisters, Sr. Clara FSPA and Agnes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 30, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., with Rev. Kevin Mullins OSA officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy. 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Memorials to Milwaukee Birthright, Inc., 2025 Oklahoma Avenue, STE 125, Milwaukee, WI 53215 have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Bay Point, Hospice Alliance, Home Link and Becker Shoop for their tender and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main jSt., Racine   (262) 634-7888