Dorothy Berger

Dorothy F. (Beckler) Berger, 89, of Mandan, passed away peacefully at her home on November 9, 2023.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, ND. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Dorothy was born September 29, 1934, to Michael and Magdelena (Friesz) Beckler in Fallon, ND.  She attended eight years of school at the Fallon Catholic boarding school.  When her father passed away her mother moved the family to Mandan where she attended Mandan schools and graduated from Mandan High School in 1954.  She then went to work at Occident Seeds as a bookkeeper and later a seed analyst until Peavey Company purchased Occident.  She then worked for Peavy as a secretary/bookkeeper until she retired after 30 years. 

Dorothy married William J. Leingang in 1956 and had one daughter from that marriage.  In 1980, she married her second husband, Bernie Berger in Mandan, ND.  She worked as a bookkeeper for Bernie until 1994 when he passed away.  Dorothy then started to travel with her sister, cousin and close friends.  One of those friends became Dorothy’s companion for 25 years and that was Harold Wolf.  She went on many trips including bus trips through 48 states, cruises and spent 12 winters in Arizona.  Dorothy loved to read, garden, rummage sales were her passion and travel.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and neighbors.  She was always at family functions sharing stories and laughs with them.  Dorothy had a deep love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she would do absolutely anything for her grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sherri (Greg) Jahraus; two grandchildren, Christopher (Leah) Jahraus, Wheat Ridge, CO and Lindsey Jahraus, Madison, WI; three great grandchildren, Damoni Fowler, Harlow and Beckett Jahraus; three brothers, Henry, Mandan, ND, Michael Beckler, Albuquerque, NM, Dean (Pam) Beckler, Mandan, ND; one sister, Jean (Al) Braun, Mandan, ND; three stepsons, Bernie (Sue) Allen, Texas, Bernie Lee (Carol) Berger, Bismarck, ND, and Brad Berger; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Harold’s loving family, sons, Tim (Laurie), Tom (Lois), Terry (Linda), Todd (Vicki), Tracy (Jane) and daughter Twila (Troy) Leingang.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Magdelena; two sisters, Theresa Ressler and Louise Markel; one brother, Andrew Beckler; her in-laws; Leo Ressler, Clem Markel, Deloris Beckler, Jackie Beckler and Pat Beckler; and one stepson, Billy Berger.  First husband, William Leingang; second husband, Bernie Berger; and dear companion, Harold Wolf. 

Special thanks to CaringEdge Hospice and Home Care Companions, Blain and Mary Hohbein, Twila Leingang and Bernie Lee Berger, your continued love and support meant the world to both Dorothy and Sherri.