Mary Berres

Jeanie was born October 28, 1940 in Escanaba, the daughter of Raymond “Shorty” DeGrand and Mary (Blomstrom) DeGrand. She graduated in 1958 from Holy Name High School, The Greatest School in all the Land.

Jeanie met the love of her life, Frank Berres, on a trip to Alaska where he was stationed in the Army. She traveled with her uncle, Father Tom, who was the Army Chaplain and met Frank while working there. Frank & Jeanie were married in Escanaba on November 28, 1959. They were married for 61 years.

Together, Frank and Jeanie raised 5 children, born from October 1960 to July 1965. The five children went from bathing in the tub together to being in college at the same time.

Frank, who is credited with starting the Rat Section at St. John’s College in Minnesota, later found his calling as a 40-year crowd motivator for the Escanaba Eskymos. Jeanie was there supporting him the whole time. They spent countless weekends traveling and put hundreds of thousands of miles on three different vans following the Eskymos and the Johnnies over the course of those 40 years.

Jeanie worked for many years at Cliff’s Cash Market in Escanaba teaming with Betty Bolm where they were known as “the snoop sisters”, often knowing where all of the high school parties were based on listening to all of the students who came in to purchase their party supplies. After Cliff’s, Jeanie worked in the insurance business, this time teaming with Lorna Hiney where they were more like the Golden Girls.

Jeanie was a lifelong member of the Escanaba Elks Ladies Auxiliary where she was named Lady Elk of the Year in 1998. She was still attending meetings right up until the time of her death. She enjoyed bowling in both the Tuesday Early Bird League and the Wednesday Ladies Elks League. In addition to cheering on the Eskymos & Johnnies, she loved cheering on the Green Bay Packers. She also attended numerous sports events played by her grandchildren, but most of all, she loved spending time partying with family and friends. She only had one fear and that was the Fear Of Missing Out.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her husband Frank, son Mike, brothers Tommy and Bobby, parents Shorty and Mary and step dad Slim. She was also preceded in death by Frank’s parents, Frank & Isabelle Berres and brothers-in-law, Patrick Berres, Patrick DeGaynor and Scotty, sisters-in-law Maire McMahon and Barb Berres.

She is survived by her son John (Michele) Berres of Lansing, MI, daughters Susie (Brian) Beckon & Margie (Denny Schaub) Gregoire of Escanaba & Karen (Mark) Platt of Florence, AZ and

daughter-in-law Katie Brewer Berres (Joe) Boychuck of Luxemburg, WI and former son-in-law Pete Gregoire. Grandchildren: Sofie, Michael-Marie, Peter, Kyle, Kerry, Darby (Andrew), Jake, Elise (Kyle), Stephanie, Erin (Aaron), Shelby (Hayden), Ross (Abby), Amanda (Derek). Great Grandchildren Hank, Rudy, Harper, Quinn & Walker. Sisters: Tookie, Vicki, Julie & Patti, Brothers: Dinko, Jimmy, Cat & Woggs. Brothers-in-law BRB & Blackie, Sisters-in-law Val, Kathy, Nancy, & Judi and numerous nieces and nephews–Jeanie loved and was loved by many.

Visitation will be held at Crawford Funeral Home on Thursday, May 7 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and Funeral Mass will be held at St Joseph & St Patrick’s Church on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 am with Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Berres family. At a later date, contributions will be directed to the Frank Berres Memorial Scholarship and Elks Auxiliary.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net The services are in the care of the Crawford Funeral Homes.