Phyllis M. Berning

Phyllis M. Berning, age 75, of Rochester, Minn., died Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at St. Marys Hospital, from complications of COVID-19.

Phyllis Margaret Berning was born to Dallas and Virginia (Moos) Junge on February 27, 1945.

She was the second oldest of 10 children.  She grew up on the family farm in Harmony, Minn., and graduated from Harmony High School in 1963.  

Phyllis was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Charles Berning on August 4, 1965, at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester, Minn.  They built their home in Stewartville where they resided until 1976 when they moved to their home on the Mississippi River in Kellogg, Minn.  In 2000, they moved to Rochester, Minn.

Phyllis earned her undergraduate degree at Winona State University, graduate degree at Bemidji State University and her PhD in Education from the University of Minnesota.  She worked as a professor and program director finishing her career at the University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN Campus.  

In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Phyllis also cherished the time spent with her grandchildren, family and friends.  She also enjoyed worldwide travel, golfing, reading and sewing. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her.  She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, Minn.

She is survived by her husband Charles, daughter Brenda (Steve) of Kellogg, Minn., son Robert of Fort Myers, Fla., three grandchildren: Mikala (Joe), Michael and Brayden; eight siblings: Denny (Nancy) Junge, Ron (Sandy) Junge, Leroy (Marlys) Junge, Alice (Jerry) Bigalk-Passe, Dave Junge, James Junge, Adrian Junge, and Barb (Todd) Nechkash; sister-in-law Patty Junge, many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Damon Junge, grandchild Nikolas Berning, brother-in-law Bruce Bigalk  and nephew Adam Bigalk.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of life and remembrance will be held at a later date. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Berning family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.