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92_SR0350
LRB9216385BHbh
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Alpha Nina Berning, formerly of
4 Deerfield, who passed away January 26, 2002; and
5 WHEREAS, Alpha Mikkelsen was born on February 17, 1915,
6 to Elvira and Miller Mikkelsen in Cedar Falls, Iowa; she was
7 a first generation American, beginning school speaking only
8 her native Danish; as a child, she enjoyed 4H programs,
9 family and church fellowship; she graduated from the North
10 East Iowa Teachers College High School then moved to the
11 North Shore area near Chicago, where she was a pastry chef
12 and later a food service manager; and
13 WHEREAS, She married Karl Berning on December 31, 1939,
14 in Fredsville, Iowa; following their marriage, the Bernings
15 moved to Deerfield; Mrs. Berning, who was known as Mickie,
16 was active in the Republican Women's Club as well as in other
17 civic organization and church affairs; after the birth of her
18 three children, Mrs. Berning particularly enjoyed being a Cub
19 Scout Den Mother for her sons; and
20 WHEREAS, Mrs. Berning put all of her energy, dedication,
21 and knowledge to work during her husband's 36 year political
22 career and his many elections; during the many years Mr.
23 Berning served as an Illinois State Senator (1967-1983)
24 representing the 32nd District, Mrs. Berning lovingly cared
25 for two households, in Deerfield and Springfield, and a third
26 family country retreat in Wisconsin; Senator and Mrs. Berning
27 enjoyed the opportunity to attend five Presidential
28 Inaugurations and several GOP National Conventions; and
29 WHEREAS, In 1983, Senator and Mrs. Berning retired and
30 moved full-time to their home in Fort Myers, Florida; there,
31 Mrs. Berning became an active member of the Lee County
32 Republican Women's Federated; she was active in the Southwest
-2- LRB9216385BHbh
1 Florida Symphonic Society, and the Fort Myers Congregational
2 United Church of Christ; Mrs. Berning also found the time to
3 take up golf and enjoyed many years with the Ladies 9 Holers
4 Club at the Landings; and
5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Berning will be deeply missed by all those
6 who knew her and loved her, especially her husband, retired
7 Illinois State Senator Karl I. Berning; her sons, Grant
8 (Beverly) and Randall (Carol Ann); her daughter, Penny
9 (Larry) Schafer; her grandchildren, Bryan (Robin) Berning,
10 Andrew (Lauren) Schafer, Karmin (Thomas) Schafer Hansen, and
11 Mathew Berning; her great-grandchildren, Blake and Brandon;
12 her sisters, Edna Wiley and Esther (Walter) Sherman; and her
13 brother, Miller Mikkelsen; therefore, be it
14 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL
15 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
16 her family and friends, the passing of Alpha Nina Berning;
17 and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to her husband and our former colleague, Karl
20 Berning.