Helen Bergner

Helen C. Bergner was called home to God with grace on Sunday, November 14, 2021 with her loving family by her side. She was a lifelong resident of Green Bay and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church. Helen was born on February 6, 1922 in Green Bay, the daughter of the late Wenzel C. and Pauline P. (Tuyls) Pankratz.

When a life is lived so long and so completely, it is difficult to capture in words the impact that her love, spirit, and quiet wisdom will continue to have on her family and friends. We are selfish in saying that her 99 years was not enough, but she will live on in the memories that we hold in our hearts.

Helen married Lee R. Bergner on December 28, 1946 following her graduation from Green Bay West High School. They shared a love of music and adventure together when they started one of the first electronics shops in Green Bay to sell records, color televisions, tape recorders, and radios. The family has fond memories of regular family sing-alongs to records that Lee would bring home from the shop.

Lee passed away way unexpectedly in 1964 when the 5 children were young. At that time, Helen began working as a waitress at Kropp's Supper Club to support the family. In her 50 years there, she made many friends and was very fortunate to be able to work alongside her sister and other family members. She also enjoyed her time working as a teacher's aide at MacArthur Elementary School.

Helen was a talented cook and loved to share her kitchen and recipes with family members. She was an avid quilter, crafter, bowler, and loved the friendships she made in her sewing circle. She rarely missed a Brewers game, and cheered for the Packers since Don Hutson carried the ball. Raised on a farm, she continued to grow vegetables and flowers throughout her life. She loved to harvest strawberries, tomatoes, and cucumbers each year for freezing and canning. She even managed to fill the freezer and pantry this year. Helen always had bird feeders outside of her living room windows where she could keep constant vigil. She especially loved the cardinals and finches.

Helen loved to read. She could read a novel each week, challenging her sister Marge to find something new at the library. Her home was full of newspaper and magazine clippings that she found to be inspirational. We all hope to remain as sharp, energetic, and engaged in life as she was. She was a goal-setter, and had a fierce determination to achieve them in her special way when it came to her family.

Christmas and Easter holidays always brought the entire family together to her house over the years, but Thanksgiving was always her favorite. Helen kept a well-worn piece of paper with her special Thanksgiving prayer that she always read before the meal. Potato dumplings were the staple, always made early on Thanksgiving morning by a large crew of family volunteers who were intent to perfect the original recipe handed down by Helen's mother.

She had a passion for seasonal decorating, and had a wreath for every season. Helen always wanted the fattest Christmas tree on the lot, and looked forward to getting the ornaments out each year to start the holiday season. Each holiday had memorable traditions such as the annual Easter egg hunt that was a must for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren every year. Her greatest joy was her time with family, and she especially cherished her time babysitting for her grandchildren.

In recent years, Helen enjoyed her weekly outings with her sister Marge. She also looked forward to frequent visits from her nephew Steve and Linda. Sister Marla was a cherished companion, sharing church news and suggestions for new books to read.

Helen is survived by her 5 children: Michael (Paula) Bergner, Danny Bergner, Pam (Rick) Smith, Cheri Bergner-Koshalek and Debbie (Todd) Bowman; 10 grandchildren: Joe (special friend Maritza) Bergner, Laura (Dan) Mocco, Emilie (Barry) Kalpinski, Jackson (special friend Olivia) Smith, Trevor (Brianna) Bowman, Elli Bowman, Christine (special friend Cole) Bergner, Jessica Hoffman, Katy (Jon) Cook, and Sam Koshalek. And, 7 great-grandchildren: June and Henry Kalpinski, Wyatt and Meadow Mocco, Delilah and Brooks Bowman, and Beckett Cook. Of her siblings, Helen is survived by one sister, Margaret (the late Merlin) Kropp. She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Joanie (the late Don) Bergner, beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lee, and 4 siblings: Dorothy (Donald) Thomas, Mary Jane (Gordon) Vanden Heuvel, Micky (Ray) Garsow, and Ernest Pankratz.

Visitation will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish (2771 Oakwood Drive in Green Bay) on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 9 to 11 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park.

Helen's family would like to thank Dr. Molly Kleiman, Sister Marla Clercx, and Helen's sister, Marge Kropp for their friendship, compassion, and loving care.

She loved to say, 'when a Cardinal appears, an angel is near'. We will be watching. God Bless you Mom and Grandma.