Obituary of Earl Berens

Long-time Burlington, Colorado, resident Earl John Berens passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital. He was 85 years old. Earl was born on April 17, 1927, in Walker, Kansas, to Herman Fidelias and Elizabeth Veronica (Staab) Berens. He was one of twelve children. He graduated from Bethune High School in 1945, then enlisted in the Navy, serving on a troop transport. After being discharged in 1946, Earl returned to Burlington and began farming. Earl met Darlene Schmidt, a nurse at the Burlington Hospital, on a blind date in January 1949. Earl and Darlene married on August 4, 1949, at the St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Burlington. This union was blessed with seven children: Kelvin, Stephen, David, Mark, Chris, Renee and infant Peter. In 1955, Earl received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado A&M in Fort Collins and practiced in Dodge, Nebraska, for 25 years. While in Dodge, “Doc” could also be found actively involved in the VFW and American Legion and working with youth in 4-H and Little League baseball. Earl was well read and enjoyed public speaking and was often the keynote speaker during Memorial Day remembrances. He also immensely enjoyed playing cards with family, indoctrinating daughter-in-laws into the finer points of the game and playing sheephead with friends on Sunday morning after church. After retiring in 1981, Earl, Darlene and Renee moved to Burlington. While in Burlington, Earl renewed his love affair with farming, enjoyed traveling with Darlene and was a dedicated member of St. Catherine of Sienna parish. Above all, Earl enjoyed time with his family. The sky was always bluer, the food was always tastier and the cards were always better when he was surrounded by his family. Earl is survived by his wife Darlene, six children: Kelvin Berens and wife Dawn of Elkhorn, NE, Stephen Berens and wife Elizabeth Bryant of Los Angeles, CA, David Berens and wife Luann of Stratton, CO, Mark Berens and wife Gerri of Kingwood, TX, Chris Berens and wife Peggy of Bennington, NE, and Renee Berens of Mason, TX, thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Pat Berens of Sierra Vista, AZ, Arleen Swartz of Denver, CO, and Joe Berens of Bethune, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Peter, five brothers and three sisters.