John Ralph Berres was born November 16, 1921, in Credit River Township, Scott County, Minnesota, to William and Bessie (Forss) Berres. In 1937, he moved with is family to a farm near Farmington. He was drafted into the US Army and served during WWII. John married Cecelia Streefland on September 25, 1948, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage. In the Spring of 1949, they moved to what became their longtime farm in Greenvale Township near Hazelwood. Together John and Cecelia raised dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, crops and their family of seven children. After retirement they remained on the farm with Cecelia passing away on July 11, 2011. John was proud to have remained on the farm, living independently until his death.
John was a lifetime member of Annunciation Church in Hazelwood. He was a trustee for many years, a longtime usher, a volunteer for many church festivals, helped care for the cemetery, and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting, playing euchre, dancing, going on vacations with Cecelia, Twins baseball and gardening. He harvested his final garden in August of this year. John took a keen interest in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed family gatherings. He was a hard worker, a good story-teller and taught his children to not give up.
Survivors include 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 Olson, Matt (Ami) Pumper, Angie (Rafael) Perez, Jon (Stacy) Pumper, Jake Pumper, Michael (Beth) Tupy, Jill (Tyler) Morin, Anne (Joe) Mundell, Eric Tupy, Kristine (Bryce) Presnall, Diana (Kris) Drager, Abby Rezac, Stephanie Dack, Laura Dack, Andrew (Taylor) Peterson and Sam Peterson; 15 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law: Delores Gerdesmeier of Lakeville, Verena Streefland of Webster, Jeannette Streefland of Burnsville; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, by his son Thomas, his grandson Andrew Pumper, his parents, his brothers Wilbert (Emma), George (Donna), Bernard (Edith), and his sisters Mary (George) Watson, Bernice (Herb) Blohm and Louise (Jim) Fread.
With his family by his side, John passed away on Sunday morning, November 22, 2015, at Reflections on the Three Links Campus in Northfield, at the age of 94.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30AM Saturday, November 28, 2015, at the Church of the Annunciation in Hazelwood. Interment with military honors will be in Annunciation Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tim Hollinger, Matt Pumper, Mike Tupy, Kristi Rezac, Stephanie Dack and Andrew Peterson. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Hollinger, Craig Pumper, Paul Tupy, Brent Dack, Bruce Peterson, Mike Streefland and Jack Streefland. Visitation will be 3-7PM Friday, November 27, 2015, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral.
Source: Benson & Langehough Funeral Home, Northfield, MN