Blanche F. Berken

Blanche Berken, a former Appleton resident, passed away suddenly from a stroke on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Blanche was born in Askeaton on July 30, 1922, the daughter of the late Peter and Louise (VandeVoort) Rotzenberg. She graduated from Wrightstown High School and married Lloyd Berken on November 22, 1941. Blanche had 8 children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Blanche was a devout Catholic who loved the Blessed Mother and had a prayer for everything in the world. She loved playing the piano, bingo, dominos, and any kind of card game. She was an avid baseball fan and was thrilled to go to a World Series game. She enjoyed living in Florida, volunteering at the nursing home, and making a nice beef roast for her Great Big Beautiful Family.

Blanche was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Lloyd, her daughter, Patt, daughter-in-law, Jackie, and brother and sisters, Norbert, Ruth, and Grace Rotzenberg.

Blanche is survived by her only son, Peter (Donna Lowe), Appleton, six daughters, Sharon (Bill) Wood of Lafayette, Indiana; Jeannie Berken of Atlanta; Lynda Stack of Sarasota, Florida; Penny (Steven) Forman; Connie (Mike) Cavanagh ; and Amy (Joe) Schlosser, all of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Paul.

Grandma B. was adored by her 16 grandchildren: Lori (Jim) Bollock, Tammy Wood, Cari McCann, Joelle (Brian) Hamill, Jeffrey Femal, Katie, Sara and Laura Stack, Chris, David (Kelly) and Brad Berken; Chloe Forman, Matt and Nicole Cavanagh and Alex and Hannah Blanche Schlosser. Great-Grandma B. was also cherished by her 12 great-grandchildren: Emily, Casey, and Holly Bollock, Morgan Wood Mantei, Patrick and Brandon McCann, Lauren, Liam, and Conner Hamill and Pacey, Erika, and Gracie Berken.

Blanche will also be missed by many relatives and friends and by her sweet cat, Polly,

The mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1825 N. McDonald Street in Appleton with Father Gerald Falk officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Wrightstown. Friends may call at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday and again on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the mass. There will be a prayer service at the funeral home on Friday at 7:00 PM. A memorial fund has been established for the school children of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakeland, Florida.

Mom B., Grandma B., and Great Grandma B. made everyone feel valued, respected, and important. She will be remembered for her many unique expressions, but mostly for the one that defined her life, fun, fun, fun. She will remain forever 39!

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920 739-1231