Cecelia Ellen Berres was born June 16, 1929, on the family farm at Orchard Lake, Dakota County, Minnesota, to Russell and Mary (Slater) Streefland. She was raised on the family farm, baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage, attended Orchard Lake School and was valedictorian of Lakeville High School Class of 1946. After her education worked at the Richfield Bank in Richfield. She married John Berres on September 25, 1948 at St. John the Baptist. In the Spring of 1949, they moved to what became their longtime farm in Greenvale Township near Hazelwood. Together Cecelia and John farmed and raised their family of seven children. After retirement they remained on the farm with Cecelia moving to the Long Term Care Center in October 2007.

Cecelia was a member of Annunciation Church in Hazelwood. She was a longtime member of the Altar and Rosary Society - serving a term as president, the Southeast Catholic Deanery of Women, was secretary a number of years for Fr. John Brown, and was an active volunteer for other church activities. She enjoyed gardening, baking, sewing, canning and freezing, celebrating birthdays and holidays, going dancing, reading, babies, and her family. She was famous for her lemon meringue and strawberry pie at the church festivals. She was organized, a good wife, mother and grandmother, and had a strong Christian Faith. She inspired her family with her strength, courage and willingness to never give up.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, John; 6 daughters & their husbands: Susan and Joe Hollinger of Dundas, Donna and Craig Pumper, Joan and Paul Tupy, Jane Rezac, Mary and Brent Dack, Carol and Bruce Peterson, all of Northfield: 17 grandchildren: Tim Hollinger, Jamie (Cora) Olson, Matt (Ami) Pumper, Angie (Rafael) Perez, Jon (Stacy) Pumper, Jake Pumper, Michael (Beth) Tupy, Jill (Tyler) Morin, Anne (Joe) Mundell, Eric Tupy, Kristine Rezac, Diana (Kris Dragger) Rezac, Abby Rezac, Stephanie Dack, Laura Dack, Andrew Peterson and Sam Peterson; 9 great-grandchildren: Roman, Bella, Corbin, Evalyn, Ava, Ashton, Lauren, Ryan and Kate; her sister, Delores Gerdesmeier of Lakeville; 2 sisters-in-law, Verena Streefland of Webster, Jeannette Streefland of Burnsville; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son Thomas, her grandson Andrew Pumper, her parents, her sister Mary Madden, and her brothers James Streefland and Russel Streefland Jr.

Cecelia passed away with her family by her side on Monday morning, July 11, 2011, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 82.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30AM Thursday, July 14, 2011, at the Church of the Annunciation in Hazelwood with Fr. Thomas Reyer officiating. Music will be provided by Lorilee Malecha. Interment will be in Annunciation Church Cemetery. Casket bearers will be her daughters. Visitation will be 3-7PM Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the funeral.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.

Obituary and photo from Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.