Delores Berberich, 84, died surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, September 06, 2009 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN with Father Chuck Huck officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Brooks, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be for one hour prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church.

Delores Norma Lessard was born on December 8, 1924 to Charles and Rose (Asselin) Lessard on the family farm in Lambert Township, Red Lake County, MN. She was born the oldest of 14 children. Delores attended country school in Lambert Township. After school, Delores stayed at home and helped raise her siblings.

She then met Frederic Arthur Berberich and the couple was united in marriage on November 10, 1945 in Oklee, MN. The couple made their home in Poplar River Township all of their married life. To this union 13 children were born. Delores enjoyed being with her family and friends, especially her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.


Delores enjoyed gardening. She raised tons of vegetables to feed her family and lots of flowers for their beauty. She also enjoyed baking and will be remembered for her banana bread, sour cream raisin bars, and raised donuts. Embroidering and quilting also gave Delores pleasure. In her later years, after her family had grown, she worked at Pioneer Nursing Home in Erskine as a dietary aid. Delores was a member of the Brooks TOPS club, Holly Hock Homemakers, Catholic Daughters, Red Hat Society, St. Annes Society, and a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church.

Delores is survived by 9 children: Ione (Clarence) Kostrzewski, Stephen, MN, Rose (Larry Skallet) Wold, Thief River Falls, MN, Bob (Eleanor) Berberich, West Fargo, ND, Mark (Susan) Berberich, Brooks, MN, Charlene (Poncho) Gagner, Brooks, MN, Karen (John) Larson, Brooks, MN, Anita (Jeff) Capp, Larimore, ND, Vicki (Joe) Ste. Marie, Red Lake Falls, MN, and Randy Berberich, Phoenix, AZ; 2 daughters in law, Roxanne Berberich, Karlstad, MN, JoAnn Berberich, Audubon, MN, 41 grandchildren; 48 great grandchildren; brother Maurice (Lou) Lessard of South Milwaukee, WI, sisters, Marie Mercil of South Milwaukee, WI, Yvonne (Chuck Schear)Boucher, Mentor, MN, and sisters in law: Dorothy MaryAnn, Ione, and Mary Lessard; brothers in law Phil and Chris Tougas, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frederic in 2005, 2 sons, Jerry and Roger, 2 daughters, Jeanette and Jacqueline, 2 sons in law Ron Peterson, Roland Wold, 2 grandchildren Tom & Jenny Gagner, brothers, Raymond, George, Vern, Kenneth, Walter, Harold and Robert "Terry" Lessard and sisters, Marcella Tougas, Sharon Tougas, and Theresa Champagne.

PALLBEARERS: Delores' Grandchildren