Alexander E. Berens

Alexander E. Berens, age 101, passed away peacefully, "flew the Coupe," Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

Al was born February 20, 1922, in Stevens Point, Wis., to Alexander N. and Hattie (Merklein) Berens. He attended St. Stephen's Grade School, P.J. Jacobs High School and graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Business Administration.

He entered the United States Army on October 13, 1942, in Milwaukee and entered active duty on October 27, 1942. He served as a Pfc. with Company A, 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division during World War II. Al served in the Aleutian Islands followed by the Mediterranean Theatre, the North Apennines and the Po Valley of Italy. He received the Rifle MKM Combat Infantryman Badge, two Bronze Stars, one Purple Heart and a Good Conduct Medal.  He was honorably discharged October 13, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wis.

He married Helen C. Fulton on November 26, 1949, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Denver, Colo. The couple settled in Stevens Point, raising five children, before building a home on the Tomorrow River in Amherst. His wife preceded him in death on June 1, 1995.

Al worked in the ski industry in Colorado after the war. Upon moving back to Stevens Point, he was employed as a photographer for Phillip Studio and as a line clerk for the Soo Line Railroad. He then began working for the F.D.I.C. in 1956 as an Auditor, retiring after 26 years in 1982 as a Senior Bank Examiner.

In his free time, Al was considered an expert downhill skier. As a teenager he skied at Iverson Park, Rib Mountain, and throughout northern Wisconsin and Michigan — skiing through his 89th birthday. Along with Wisconsin skiing, he enjoyed powder-snow skiing in the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Vancouver, BC, Canada. He also ski-jumped as a young man, flew small airplanes as a private pilot, giving many rides to numerous children and adults of all ages. Al also enjoyed classic automobiles, motorcycle riding, bicycling, canoeing, fishing, and traveling throughout North America, as well as trips around Europe, Peru, Mexico, the Panama Canal, the Amazon River and Italy. In addition to many winter skiing adventures out West, Al also traveled the western U.S. extensively with family and friends, exploring a multitude of ghost towns, national parks, and always managed to discover unique, out-of-the-way places. His expedition to Antarctica with longtime friend, Paul Tuhus, was one of his most memorable.

His favorite pastime of all was gathering together with family and friends, catching up, sharing stories, laughs, good food and refreshments.

Survivors include his children: Gretchen (Timothy) Berens Kargl, Eric (Kathleen), Christine (Thomas) Heidenfelder, and Nicholas; grandchildren Nicholas (Christina) Berens, Alexis Kargl, Jerad Kargl, Kelly (James) Gleeson, Christopher Berens , Krista Kargl, Amy Berens, Stacey (Steve) Bachinski, Adam (Rochelle) Scipior, Christopher, Jason (Emily) and Matt Heidenfelder; great-grandchildren Brooke, Luke, Charlotte, Jack, Sawyer, Lucille, Sullivan, Grant and Desmond; nephews Charlie (Rose) Spaar and William (Carrie) Olds.

He is further survived by his loving partner, Nancy Binder. The two of them experienced many wonderful adventures together all around North and South America over the last 20 years.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Helen, son Thomas, his parents, infant brother Romulus, and his sister and brother-in-law Harriet (William) Fulton, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws Elizabeth (Howard) Spaar and Ann Jane (Earl) Olds.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at St. Stephen's Church with Rev. Jeffrey Hennes officiating. Military honors will follow Mass and burial at St. James Cemetery in Amherst. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to charity of the donor's choice. The family wishes to thank Amy Peskie for her special care of Dad over the past nine months, Heartland Hospice caregivers Jenni, Joelle, Brian, Kelly, JT, Dawn, Kari; and all of the caregivers at Wellington Place at Whiting who cared for Dad during his time there. We are most grateful to everyone. The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifunerlhome.com