Raymond G. Berendsen Sr., 83, Green Bay, passed away after a lengthy illness Friday evening, Dec. 7, 2007, at a local nursing home. Born in Green Bay on Nov. 25, 1924, he was the son of the late Edwin Berendsen and Jessie (Smith) O'Neil. After hearing the news of Pearl Harbor, he left school and joined the U.S. Navy the very next day, Dec. 8, 1941. He faithfully served his country for four years. Ray married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Maloney, on July 27, 1946, at SS. Peter and Paul Church. He worked numerous jobs, until receiving his accounting certification and was then employed with WOS for 23 years as Comptroller of the Accounting Department. As a World War II veteran, Ray was very proud to have been given the opportunity to receive his high school diploma from East High School in 2001. Throughout Ray's life he was active in youth activities serving as a little league, Babe Ruth and hockey coach and as a charter member of SS. Peter and Paul Booster Club. He later found he had a hidden talent for numerous art forms and was active with Arts Unlimited.
Dorothy and Ray loved to travel, visiting Europe, Canada and all 50 states excluding Alaska. Most importantly, he enjoyed his time with friends and family, telling stories, joking, debating and playing cribbage and other games.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; five children and spouses, Zib (Larry) Phillips, Kathie (Fred) Gerondale, John (Lori) Berendsen, Carrie (Al) Jauquet, JR (Diane) Berendsen; one foster daughter, Carol (Sid) Scutt, New York; 16 grandchildren, Kim Kloehn, Jamie (Trisha) Phillips, Shane Phillips, Christian (Alicia) Phillips, Fred (Jessika) Gerondale, Stacy Gerondale, Amy Guerts, Erik (Erika) Berendsen, Ben Berendsen, Tyler Berendsen, Hannah Berendsen, Nicole (Matt) Schoenwalder, Danielle Jauquet, Nathan (Becky) Lison, Jordan Berendsen, Landon Berendsen; 20 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Brooke, Brittany, Taylor, Caitlyn, Peyton, Ty, Kade, Libbie, Ali, Phillip, Gavin, Nathan, Mariah, Macy, Hadly, Kale, Emma, Katelynn, Aubrey; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; special friends, Dorothy and Ray Van Bellinger; many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Dan O'Niel; one sister, Marcella O'Neil; mother-in-law, father-in-law, and brothers-in-law.
Visitation at MALCORE (East) Funeral Home, University Avenue at Baird Street, Monday from 3 to 7 p.m. Memorial service at 6:30 p.m. conducted by Bellevue VFW Post with military honors. Funeral service 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Monsignor Roy Klister officiating. Burial in Mountain, Wis.
Ray's family extends a warm thank you to the caring staffs of Bornemann's and Brown County Nursing Home.
Please visit www.malcorefuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the family.
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