Willetta Berry

Willetta Verna (Jenkins) Berry was born on December 16, 1917, in Worthington , MN , the second daughter of James and Emma Jenkins.   She was the final surviving member of that family, having been preceded in death by her parents and sisters Mary and Pearl .  She went home to be with her Savior, her dearly loved husband Dolan and son James as well as other family members on June 21, 2010.  Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Calvary Covenant Church , Evansville , MN .

Willetta (Billie) attended school and graduated from Worthington Public School . On August 7, 1937, she married Dolan Berry in Worthington , MN .  To this union three children were born, James, Blanche and Nancy.  The Berry family lived in Minneapolis and Hopkins during WWII where Dolan worked at Wold Chamberlain field building gliders for the war effort.  After the war, they returned to Worthington and lived there until 1951 when they moved to Evansville , MN .

During the early years of Billie’s married life she would have been classified as a stay-at-home wife and mother, but was so much more than that.  She spent many hours helping Dolan with their Phillips 66 business, doing bookwork, pumping gas, washing windshields and anything else that needed doing.  She transformed their yard along “old highway 52” from a waist-high weed patch into a showplace vegetable and flower garden.  Travelers often thought they were going past a city park as they entered Evansville .

As a mom, Willetta was always willing to help, encourage, inspire and support her own children as well as many of their friends.  She volunteered for school activities, chaperoned school trips, baked cakes for special events, fed “country” kids on sporting event nights and provided beds when needed.  At different times in her life, she was a Sunday school teacher, piano teacher and Girl Scout Leader.  Her eight grandchildren loved visiting grandma and grandpa’s home.  Would there be a new litter of kittens?  What new activities would grandma and grandpa have planned for them?  Grandma made the best macaroni hotdish or “sloppy joes” or cookies! Willetta and Dolan both loved music and shared their love and talent with their children and grandchildren and many friends. Time spent with family was always joyous and fun-filled.

For many years Billie was a dedicated and efficient secretary for Evansville bowling leagues.  Many family, friends and friends-of-friends were the fortunate recipients of baby, shower, wedding, and birthday or Christmas gifts of Billie’s ART – her crocheting!

After her children were adults, Willetta fulfilled a lifelong dream by going to Alexandria Technical School and earning her degree as a Certified Medical Assistant.  For several years following, she worked at Crestview Nursing Home providing TLC and professional care to the residents.

Following the death of her husband, Billie sold her home and moved to Southview Apartments in 1995 where she lived and served as manager and activities director until moving to Crestview Nursing Home ( Evansville Care Center ) in 2005 where she resided until her death.

Willetta is survived by her daughters Blanche (Allan) Tirk of Long Prairie, MN, Nancy Olson and daughter-in-law Marjorie Berry of Evansville , grandchildren Deborah (Mark) Croteau, David Berry, Michelle (Dan) Kemmy, Barry Tirk, Annette ( Harvey ) Binder, Kenneth (Deb) Olson, Denise (Kelles) Breckenridge and Gretchen (Jose) Melo.   Her later years were also brightened by great-grandchildren, Brianna Tirk, Benjamin Olson, Christina and Dolan Binder, Tyler and Devin Breckenridge and Antonio Melo.  A great-granddaughter Elizabeth Olson preceded her in death.

MAY GOD BLESS THE MEMORY OF WILLETTA VERNA BERRY!