Robert Berens
Faith, family, friends and fishing, not necessarily in
that order. These filled the days of
Robert “Bob” “G.Bob” Berens, 83, who passed away suddenly at St. Agnes Hospital
on March 27, 2019. Husband, dad, and “Grandpa Bob” were some of the hats
he wore, but he was so much more. This
honest, hard-working jokester, who loved to be outdoors, shaped the lives of
his 7 kids and 36 grand and great-grandkids.
Bob’s story began on July 24, 1935 in Fond du Lac, a son
of Raymond and Frances (DuFrane) Berens. He was schooled at Goodrich
High, UW Oshkosh, and the U.S. Army before he started his family which began
when he was united in marriage to his wife of 61 years, Cecelia “Sue” Pilon
Berens.
Bob was raised and raised his children in the same home on
Lake Winnebago. He was interested in many things as he grew through life. He
participated in golf, volleyball, horseshoes and other activities where
friendships were fostered, stories shared and the “rare” glass of beer was
imbibed. He was active in many organizations such as the Eagles, Fond du Lac
Park Board, and served as President of the Blue Line Hockey Club. Along with
his wife Sue, he owned and operated Pilon Adjustment Service until their
retirement in 2002.
Above all of these activities, he loved lake life. On Lake
Winnebago he spent uncountable hours fishing and gardening, with patience and
productivity that was difficult to match. Life on the lake was his passion. Life
lessons were taught to his kids and grandkids, through time honored stories,
harvesting tomatoes, onions, pumpkins or perch, unraveling a twisted reel,
quiet participation with a warm sun or chasing to the harbor beating the next
coming storm. With the end of each trip, he fondly concluded: “Let’s go home”.
His final trip has come.
Bob is survived by his wife Cecelia “Sue”; children Mary
Cerny, Dick (Molly) Berens, Mark (Kathy) Berens, Dave (Renee) Berens, Sam
(Hale) Jay, Chris (Cheryl) Berens and Joel (Jenny) Berens; grandchildren Andy
(Emily), Charlie (Alex), Bill (Christine), Betsy (Gabe), Maggie B., Addie, Mary
Kate, John, Emily, Nora, Bridget, Ellie, Peter, Jackie, Timmy, Erin (Scott),
Paula (Jonathan), Angie (Tyler), Tommy, Justin (Linden), J.T., Josh, Maggie J.,
Angie (Matt), Jenny, Michael (Britney), Kayla, Sara, Brett, Brody and Cailyn;
great grandchildren Jules, Ava, Hattie, Thomas and Evelyn.
Bob is further survived by a brother, James (Joan) Berens,
brothers-in-law, Melvin Mueller, Joseph (Stephanie) and John (Pat) Pilon,
sister-in-law, Mary Claire Dorn, other relatives and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his brother Richard Berens,
sisters Pat Schmitz and Betty Mueller, a son-in-law Paul Cerny, grandchild Ray
Berens, brothers-in-law Tony Schmitz, Mark Pilon, sisters-in-law Ann Pilon,
Elaine Leeson, Mary Boulay.
Visitation: Bob’s family invites relatives and friends for
a time of visitation at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 4th Street
Way, Fond du Lac, on Thursday, April 4, 2019 from 10:00 to 11:45 AM.
Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on
Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Noon at the church.
Memorials can be directed to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
in Milwaukee, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York or Holy Family
Catholic Parish, Fond du Lac
Online condolences can be shared at
www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.