On Wednesday, October 29, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN, Frances Mae was born to parents John and Elsie (Wren) Haeg. She was the fourth of seven children. Frances’ childhood years were spent in Richfield attending grade school at Assumption Catholic School, with graduating from Washburn High School in 1948.
Meeting the love of her life under an apple tree, Frances knew it was love at first sight. On Thursday, April 20, 1950 at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield, MN, they exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with ten children, Sally, Tim, Annie, Jane, John, Amy, Thomas, Joseph, Beth and Peter.
As a couple, Frances and Tom enjoyed dancing, traveling, their daily cribbage and games of Gin. As a family, they enjoyed spending time on their house boat the “Hanky Panky”, at the family cabin on Gull Lake and gathering around the kitchen table to eat, play games, and enjoy each other’s company. Throughout her life, Frances held many different jobs, but was most proud working with her husband as a caterer at the family store, Berens Market.
An active member of the Church of St. Mark, Frances was a former president of the Christian Mother’s Club and very involved in the funeral luncheon committee. A community driven volunteer, she was also active in the Shakopee V.F.W., Shakopee Lioness Club, St. Francis Regional Hospital and Meals on Wheels. Frances was very inspirational and dedicated in the planting of the trees at Lions Park.
In her free time, Frances loved interior decorating, golfing, sewing, and painting. She had a broad knowledge on how to fix things and loved anything homemade. Frances could be spotted wearing her sun hat as she worked in the flower and vegetable gardens. She especially relished the times spent with her bridge club and with her monthly birthday club friends.
A devoted wife, loving mother and a caring grandma and great-grandma, Frances lived each day for her family. A resident of Shakopee, Frances Berens, age 81, passed away peacefully the late afternoon of Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Emerald Crest in Shakopee, MN.
Forever loved, Frances will be deeply missed by her husband of 62 blessed years, Thomas A.; children, Sally Ann (Ken) Mogren of Winona, Tim (Kathy Burk) Berens of Bloomington, Annie (Mark) Myers of Shakopee, Jane (Ron) Von Bank of Shakopee, John (Susan) Berens of Shakopee, Amy Ellis of Shady Side, MD, Thomas “Toby” (Denise) Berens of Shakopee, Beth (Peter) Rozga of St. Paul, Peter (Shawn) Berens of Shakopee; grandchildren, Sam, Max and Ben Mogren, Laura and Kristin Berens, Destiny Burk-Berens and Aaron Storer, Jeb Myers, Francie Quern, Johanna Schatz, and Tom Myers, Kelly Sichmeller and Ben Von Bank, Tessa, Nora, Tony and Gretta Berens, Tye Ellis, Ali and Abby Berens, Matt and Missy Howell, Andy Skare, Jackie and Daniel Rozga, Lydia and Sofia Berens; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas (Mary Beth) Haeg of Shakopee; many other loving relatives and friends.
Frances is preceded in death by her infant son, Joseph James; parents, John and Elsie, siblings, Norma, John, Pat, Jerry and Ramona. Urn bearers for Frances will be Jeb Myers, Kelly Sichmeller, Sam Mogren, Laura Berens, Tessa Berens, Ali Berens, Tye Ellis, Jackie Rozga and Lydia Berens.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior all at the Church of St. Mark 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee, MN. Father Peter Wittman will officiate. Frances will be laid to rest at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Frances’s memory by the family. Frances’ family thanks the staff at Emerald Crest for the wonderful and compassion care of their mother. You will forever hold a special place in each family’s heart.
