Wenonah A. Berkland, 87

Preston – Wenonah Anne (Nuesse) Berkland, 87, of Preston, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center, Harmony.

A Funeral Service for Wenonah was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, Pastor Dan Bredberg officiated. Burial was at East Lutheran Cemetery in Delavan, on Thursday.

Wenonah was born on Feb. 11, 1935, to Max and Beah (Dahl) Nuesse. She passed away on April 14, 2022. Wenonah married the love of her life, Donald Berkland, June 2, 1956. Survived by Donald; son, Richard (Brenda); daughter Bergetta (John) Beardsley; grandchildren, Adrienne Beardsley, Tate Beardsley, Elise Beardsley; step-grandchildren, Bridget (Matthew) Stob and Bethany (Joshua) Arndt, and step-great granddaughter, Emilia Stob.

Wenonah graduated from Winnebago High School in 1952, and Mankato State University in 1955. She taught home economics for years in various school districts including Minnesota Lake and Delavan. Also important to Wenonah was being a partner to Donald as his career in school administration progressed, and she was seen at many school activities throughout the years. Wenonah served many volunteer roles at Faith Lutheran Church (Delavan) and Christ Lutheran Church (Preston), including quilting and helping with the annual lutefisk dinner. Wenonah had a passion for recognizing friends and family members at milestone moments by sending hundreds of birthday, anniversary and other cards throughout the year.

Wenonah loved life and had the firmest belief in God, Jesus, and spoke of her faith to many and frequently. She enjoyed over the years attending her grandchildren’s activities and loved to play board games and card games with them. She was a kid at heart and enjoyed music. She had a knack for always remembering everyone’s “favorites” and making those special meals or desserts over the years, including chocolate chip blonde brownies, chocolate peanut butter cake, Danish pastry, and her family’s favorite meatballs.

Wenonah will be missed immensely by her family, friends, and neighbors, but we take comfort in knowing she is with her savior Jesus Christ. We know she is with him, singing, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Wenonah was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Beah Nuesse; in-laws, Sigurd, and Marcella Berkland; and sister-in-law, Sandra Berkland.