MT. ANGEL – Rose Helen Berning, 100, passed peacefully to be with the Lord on December 2, 2023.  She was born in St. Paul, Oregon, to Sylvester and Christine Spehn Smith.  She was the fourth youngest of thirteen children.  Rose met Talwin Berning at a flax festival dance in Mt. Angel and later married in June, 1944.  They had five children.  She was a full-time homemaker while the children were at home after which she worked at the Mt. Angel Post Office for 28 years, retiring at the age of 70.  Rose was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Anne's Altar Society.

Rose enjoyed gardening, sewing, family gatherings, cooking, and trips to the beach.  She was also a skilled cribbage and pinochle player and she played Word Chums on her i-Pad with her family up until her 100th birthday!!  She will be remembered for the great love and generosity she had for her family and friends.  She used every day of her long life to learn and grow in her strong faith and love of the Lord.  She touched many lives.  She will be dearly missed by her friends and her family.

Rose's husband, Talwin Berning, preceded her in death in October, 2007, after 63 years of marriage. Rose was also preceded in death by her son, Roger Berning, in August, 2023, and all of her siblings.  She is survived by her other four children and their spouses:  Roseann (Carl) Sheeon, Florence (Tom) O'Brien, Bruce Berning, Jean (John) Dawson; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral mass celebrating her life will be held Friday, December 15, at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Angel.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Rose's honor may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.