CLARA BERGER, age 79, of Worthington, died Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Crossroads Care Center in Worthington. She was born December 4, 1937, in Worthington to Fredrick and Minnie (Van Dyke) Schaap. Clara worked as a nurse’s aide at Cashel’s Nursing Home in Worthington. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1955 and later from St. Mary's Nursing College, in Rochester with a Degree in Nursing.

Clara married Dennis Lee Berger on February 10, 1957, at the Assembly of God Church in Worthington. After their marriage, the couple lived in Rochester. They moved to Kansas for a short time while Dennis was in basic training at Ft. Riley in the United States Army. They then moved to Olympia, WA where Dennis served in the United States Army at Ft. Lewis. In 1961, they moved to Worthington. Clara worked as a nurse for over thirty years at the Worthington Regional Hospital and then Prairie House before retiring.

   She was an active member of Solid Rock Assembly, in Worthington, where she sang in the choir and loved to care for children in the church nursery. She enjoyed visiting residents at area nursing homes, artwork and crafts. She especially enjoyed being a foster parent.

   Clara is survived by her husband of sixty years, Dennis Berger, Worthington; four children, Charles Berger, Worthington; Calvin (Pam) Berger, Worthington; Chris (Doreen) Berger, Brewster; and Caren (Scot) Westendorf, Cape Coral, FL; also Norma VandenBerg & numerous other foster children; fourteen grandchildren, Amelia (fiancé, Aaron Rogers) Berger, Wesley (Amanda) Berger, Dennis “DJ” Berger, Nicole (CJ) Fritz, Megan Berger, Renae (Cory) Lapham, Hannah Langseth-Berger, Christina Berger, Michal Berger, Sonya Berger, Daniel Dressel, Natalie (fiancé, Matt O’Keefe) Westendorf, Jordan Westendorf and Robby Westendorf; a great grandchild, Payten Rose Langseth-Berger; a great grandchild to be born in September; foster grandchildren; one brother, Arthur (Lorraine) Schaap, Worthington; three sisters, Gertrude  Eckerson, Worthington; Mavis (Harley) Waltjer, Sioux Falls, SD; and Marie (Paul) Derby, Spearfish, SD; brother-in-law, Jack Stene, Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Helen Schaap, Sioux City, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; step mother, Joyce; brother, John Schaap; three sisters, Frieda Buss, Hermina Tripp and Martha Stene; and five brothers-in-law.

   Visitation will be Friday from 5-8 pm at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral will be 10:00 am Saturday at Solid Rock Assembly, in Worthington, officiated by Pastors Scott Petersen & Verlyn Schaap. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Worthington.

   To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit dingmannandsons.com

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