General Information
Full Name: Thomas A. Berens
Date of Birth: February 15, 1924
Date of Death: January 20, 2014
Tom’s life story
Thomas “Tom” A. Berens
A lifelong resident of Shakopee, Thomas Arthur Berens, age 89, passed away into the arms of God, Monday morning, January 20, 2014, at McKenna Crossings Senior Living in Prior Lake, MN. The family will greet guests on Thursday, January 23 from 4-8 pm and Friday, January 24 from 4-5 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, January 24 at 5:30 pm at The Parish of St. Joachim and Anne (St. Mark Church) 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee. A private family burial will be at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Tom’s memory by the family.
On February 15, 1924 in Shakopee, MN, Tom was born to parents Arthur and Margaret (Pink) Berens. He was the oldest of five children. As a young boy, Tom always seemed to be in mischief and his cheeks were always being kissed by his aunts. Tom graduated from the Shakopee High School in 1942. He played amateurbaseball for the Shakopee Indians and went to state in 1948.
Tom proudly served in the United States Navy as a supply clerk. He was stationed in Idaho, Hawaii and Washington. Under an apple tree, Tom met a beautiful woman, Frances Mae Haeg. He knew it was love at first sight. On Thursday, April 20, 1950 at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield, MN, Tom and Frances exchanged wedding vows. They were blessed with ten children, Sally, Tim, Annie, Jane, John, Amy, Thomas, Joseph, Beth and Peter.
As a couple, Tom and Frances enjoyed dancing, traveling, their daily cribbage and games of Gin. As a family, they enjoyed spending time on their house boat the “Hanky Panky” and at the family cabin on Gull Lake. Coaching youth sports, Tom also taught kids skating, active in the snow mobile club and always treasured being involved in his children’s, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives.
For 50 years, Tom dedicated his life owning and operating Berens Market. He was instrumental in creating the homemade recipes for different products, establishing the bakery, kitchen and the catering business. Berens Market was best known for its specialty meats, especially the sausage. Loyal to Shakopee, Tom took the reputation of the market seriously, for he was feeding the families of his community. He retired at the age of 63.
Living life to the fullest, Tom enjoyed water activities, tennis, walking, fishing and was an avid golfer. A social man, he enjoyed visiting the local establishments and supporting the community. Tom enjoyed cooking, woodworking, and was quite a handy man. His biggest passion was listening to music. A lifelong member of the Shakopee V.F.W., American Legion, Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus, Tom was also an active member of the Church of St. Mark, where he served on the St. Mark’s School Board.
Tom will always be remembered for his strong willed and type ‘A’ personality, who taught his children strong work ethics and how to have fun in life. Forever remembered, he will be deeply missed by 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 Mogren, Max Mogren, Ben Mogren, Laura Simonson, Kristin Berens, Destiny Young, Aaron Streeter, Jeb Myers, Francie Quern, Johanna Schatz, Tom Myers, Kelly Sichmeller, Ben Von Bank, Tessa Berens, Nora Berens, Tony Berens, Gretta Berens, Tye Ellis, Ali Berens, Abby Berens, Matt Howell, Missy Howell, Andy Skare, Jackie Rozga, Daniel Rozga, Lydia Berens, Sofia Berens; 17 great-grandchildren; brother: Bill (Maria) Berens of Hudson, WI; sisters, Mary (Greg) Zurn of Eden Prairie, Gretchen Stark of Cody, WY; many other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Tom is preceded in death by wife, Frances: infant son, Joseph James; parents, Arthur and Margaret; brother, Anthony “Bud” (Connie) Berens. Urn bearers for Tom will be his grandchildren, Ben Mogren, Kristin Berens, Johanna Schatz, Ben Von Bank, Tony Berens, Tye Ellis, Abby Berens, Daniel Rozga and Sofia Berens.
Tom’s family thanks the staff and caregivers of The Garden’s at St. Gertrude’s Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, McKenna Crossings Senior Living and Heartland Hospice Care for the wonderful care and compassion of their dad.
The Berens’ family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Shakopee Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Thursday, January 23, 4-8 pm
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 833 S Marschall Road
Shakopee
AND also Friday, January 24th, 4-5 pm
AT BALLARD-SUNDER FUNERAL HOME
SHAKOPEE
Service Information
When: Friday, January 24th, 5:30 pm
Location: Church of St. Mark
Address:
Interment
Shakopee Catholic Cemetery
