Philomena Bertha Agnes (Kreutzer) Berens passed away on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 at the age of 78, surrounded by her family, in her home in Hickory Creek Texas. She was born on December 22, 1938 in Victoria, Kansas to Fidelis and Philomena (Knoll) Kreutzer. Philomena had fifteen brothers and sisters: Joseph, Georgine, Nicholas, Aloysius, Ludwig, Virgil, Marcellus, Melva, Lillian, Rosie, Irma, Fidelis, Gary, Firma Jean, and Francis. She is survived by her husband, Leroy James Berens, and her five daughters: Michelle Wiora, Hope Berens, Sonja Chuprinko, Laura Pfeil, and Philomena Brady, and eleven grandchildren: Ashley Wiora, Heather (Wiora) LaPorte, Sister Anne Elise (Stephanie Wiora), Kelsey (Wiora) Cox, Shelby Chuprinko, Pierce Chuprinko, Luke Brady, Christian Brady, Rhye Pfeil, Matthew Brady, and Kobb Pfeil, as well as her two great-grandchildren: Layla Cox and Liam Cox.
Philomena, or “Phill”, was a devoted and loving wife to Deacon LeRoy James Berens for 58 years. As a young girl, she was fiercely competitive and gifted athletically, competing in high school track and softball.
Academically, she was a dedicated student and especially loved creative writing. She wrote many poems and short stories and was awarded recognition for them throughout high school. Philomena commented, on many occasions, that it was through the guidance and encouragement of the Nuns at Victoria Rural High School that nourished her love of reading and writing and gave her the courage and inspiration to write. It was in high school that the flaming red haired, beautifully blue-eyed and wonderfully spirited young lady met her husband, Leroy, and they were married on June 9, 1958.
Philomena was an energetic and joyful person, and she committed her life in service to others. During high school she was a house keeper for her neighbor and she also washed dishes and worked as a car-hop. She spent over 35 years in administrative work. When she retired from employment at Richland College she was honored for her dedication and outstanding service. Philomena was always active in her church community, serving as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister and teaching religion classes and Pre marital classes. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America for several years.
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