Liela Ruth (Mueller) Berends

During these unprecedented times and with the restrictions on large gatherings, there will be private funeral service for Liela Ruth Berends, 88, of Madison, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. Reverend Todd Kollbaum will officiate.  Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery. You can live stream the service at www.trinitylutheranmadison.com. The posting will also be available for a week following the service. Resseguie Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

She passed away at Countryside Home in Madison on April 2, 2020.

Liela and her twin sister, Lola, were born on October 27, 1931, the daughters of Ernst and Lucie (Grotelueschen) Mueller. Liela was baptized on November 22, 1931. She was confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on March 25, 1945. She attended St. John’s Lutheran School, of rural Creston. After completing 8th grade Liela worked as a hired girl for area families. 

On March 9, 1951, Liela married Milan Henry Berends, at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Creston. The couple farmed at several farms in the Leigh and Madison areas. They moved into Madison in the 1970’s.

Liela was a homemaker most of her life but earned her GED in her early 40’s and later worked as a teacher’s aid at Trinity Lutheran School in Madison for many years. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison and its Ladies Aid. She enjoyed her garden club, playing cards and did a lot of sewing and quilting.   Liela had the ability to play the piano by ear. However, her passion was being a wonderful mother and grandmother and spending time with her family and caring for her grandchildren--baking cookies and making donuts with them.

Liela is survived by her children: Russ (Debi) Berends, of Colorado Springs, CO, Gary (Cindy) Berends, of Dewey, AZ, Jeanette (Jerry) Schmidt, Inver Grove Heights, MN, Jennifer (Rod) Zessin, of Madison, and daughter-in-law, Peggy Berends of Palm Springs, CA; eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She is preceded by her parents, her husband Milan of 47 years, one daughter, Julie Jo Berends, one son, Jeffrey Jon Berends. Also preceding her in death are her siblings: Lawrence Mueller, and his twin, Florence Mueller, Amanda (Mueller) Janssen, Lorna (Mueller) McCann, Muriel Mueller, Elmer Mueller and her twin sister, Lola Mueller.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church and School.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.homeforfuneralsinc.com.

 Service Information