Philip Henry Berends

Philip Henry Berends, 69 of St. Charles, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.Phil was born October 13, 1944 in Glenwood City, WI to Peter and Florence (Brewers) Berends. He graduated from Clarkfield High School in Clarkfield, Minnesota. He went on to attend University of Minnesota Morris and Twin Cities, eventually graduating with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. While at his part time-job in college, he met the love of his life, Barbara Deyo and they were soon married. Upon his graduation, they moved to St. Charles where Phil worked at the St. Charles Veterinary Clinic for Doctor Flanary. He soon became a partner and worked until his retirement in 2011. He loved animals and truly cared for each and every one of them. He was a faithful member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church where he was a trustee and served many years on the St. Charles School Board and St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence Board.Phil loved jeeping, golfing, his motorcycle, classic cars, camping, traveling and wintering in Arizona. His family meant the world to him and his grandchildren held a very special place in his heart. He will be remembered as generous, selfless, loving, and hardworking and always having a wave and a minute to talk to anyone and everyone he met.He is survived by his wife, Barb; three children, Mary Kae Berends-Truax, John Henry (Beth) Berends and Jerry Charles (Amy) Berends; son-in-law, Bud Truax; six grandchildren, Danika Truax, Brennen, Kenna, Grace, Cole, and Luke Berends; and a brother, Pat Berends.Phil was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Paulette Lipinski; brother, Perry Berends and by Barb's parents, Ralph and Nina Deyo.Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2014 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with the Reverend Kurt Farrell officiating. Visitation will be 4 -8 p.m., Friday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - St. Charles and one hour prior to mass at church. Memorials are preferred to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church or St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence.Please share a memory of Phil, sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/496003