Dorothea Lou Berke

Dorothea Berke passed away on All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Green Valley, Arizona.

Dorothea Lou Riensche was born to Reinhart and Margaret Riensche on February 19, 1932, in Johnson, Nebraska. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Johnson, on March 6, 1932.

In 1941, when she was nine, the family moved to Eustis, Nebraska. She was confirmed on April 14, 1946, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. She graduated from Eustis High School in 1949 and Mary Lanning School of Nursing in Hastings in 1952.

Dorothea married Daniel William Berke on August 21, 1952, in Deshler, Nebraska. To this union four children were born: Steven, Carol, Ann, and Miriam.

Dottie was a bundle of energy, raising her family, working on the farm and ranch and as a registered nurse, cooking countless meals, and serving in various ways in church and community leadership. She also would have been a good camp director, as she demonstrated by motivating and incorporating her children and other guests in whatever project she undertook.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Danny; her sisters, Mary Ann Riensche, Grace Halmi, and Lillian Hunsaker; and Miriam’s life partner, Julie Eshleman.

Surviving are her children: Steve (Lori) Berke, Carol (Charles) Edwards, Ann Penn, and Miriam Berke.

Grandchildren: Chris (Jodi) Edwards, Jeff (Nicole) Edwards, Dan (Meredith) Edwards, Sarah Berke (Andy Hestness), Clare Berke, Carrie Tamblyn, and Melissa Penn.

Great-grandchildren: Dylan, Christian (Riley), Becca, Clara, Lily, Noah, Haley, Emile, Evelyn, Livia, Vera, and Irene; and great-great-granddaughter, Margo.

She is also survived by her in-laws, David Hunsaker and Dennis and Nadine Berke.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Eustis, Nebraska. Visitation with family present will be Friday, November 14, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Eustis. Memorial service will be held there on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.