Betsy Ann Berning, 62, passed away at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie on Saturday, June 22, 2019 after a long battle with ALS.

She was born in Lexington, KY on November 15, 1956, the daughter of Robert and Velma (nee: Bennett) Timmerman.   On November 29, 1980, she married Steven Berning. Betsy graduated from Deaconess Hospital Nursing School in 1977 and worked in Critical Care for eighteen years.  She then obtained her Master of Science in Exercise Science from Northeastern Illinois University and worked in Cardiac Rehabilitation for an additional twenty-one years. During this time she worked at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville IN; West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park IL; St. Francis Hospital and Evanston Hospital in Evanston IL and All Saints/ St. Mary's in Racine WI. Betsy's thoughts and deeds were always with her four children and two grandsons.  Her priority was always to spend time with her family. She started an annual lakeside meeting of the family and friends in the Hayward WI area in order to spend time with them without phones. This is being continued in her honor. Betsy was committed to a life time of good nutrition and exercise and motivated her friends, family and particularly patients.  Betsy loved and promoted the "quiet sports" such as hiking, bicycling, running and kayaking . Often to the chagrin of friends and family, vacation with Betsy involved hiking and biking in elevated locations . Betsy was always training, either for the next marathon or backpack hiking such as the Grand Canyon or the hills of Cinque Terre.  Betsy was also a gracious hostess: planning and organizing parties and dinners for friends and family for every major holiday as well as a few made up holidays. She took great joy in cooking for others. She was always trying something new from her extensive collection of cookbooks and recipes. Betsy loved and took a great deal of interest in her patients.  According to some, she would worked them a little too hard in Cardiac Rehabilitation, but often invited them to her parties and met for breakfast on the weekends.

In addition to her loving husband, Steven, she is survived by her children, Emmy Berning of Madison, Bennett (Ashley) Berning of Minneapolis, MN, Annalise Berning of Salem Lakes and Bethany (Jon) Pfeiffer of Kenosha; her grandchildren, Alexander Quam and Walter Berning; her parents, Robert and Velma Timmerman of Evansville, IN; her brothers, Robert (Tina) Timmerman of Kentucky  and John (Alice) Timmerman of Manassas VA; her brother-in-law, Richard James of Troy, OH; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Berning of Evansville IN; her sister-in-law, Barbara (Fred) Willman both of Evansville, IN; her brother-in-law, David (Joanie) Berning of McBee, SC; as well as dear nieces, nephews, extended family, fellow nurses and special friends.  Betsy was also preceded in death by her sister, Virginia James.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Sunday, June 30, 2019 for a visitation and time to meet with the family from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   A service remembering and celebrating her life will follow at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the ALS Association – Wisconsin Chapter (3333 N. Mayfair Rd. Suite 104 Wauwatosa, WI 53222).

The Berning family sincerely appreciates the support provided by friends and family during Betsy's battle with ALS and extend a special thank you to the unwavering love from Nancy Thompson,  Russell Thompson and their immediate and extended families.

Service Details

SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2019

VISITATION: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 3:00 p.m.

Everything will take place in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the ALS Association – Wisconsin Chapter, 3333 N. Mayfair Rd. Suite 104 Wauwatosa, WI 53222.

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