Barbara Florence Berkner Rethlake

Barbara Florence Berkner Rethlake, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at her home in Pflugerville, Texas. She was born on August 26, 1926 in Waverly, Minnesota to George and Lenore Larson Berkner.

Barbara grew up in Waverly where she graduated from St. Mary’s High School and later attended the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville, Minnesota. She received a degree in Sociology and worked for the county for several years. While attending a Town Hall dance she met and later married her devoted husband of almost 34 years, Maurice G. Rethlake. Marriage introduced her to navy life, travel and motherhood. Upon Morry’s retirement from the Navy they settled in Austin to finish raising their family.

Barbara was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Ladies of Charity. She worked for a number of years as a substitute teacher, teacher’s aide, lunchroom monitor, and school cook. She enjoyed her time with the children and continued to work with little ones into her eighties.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Berkner, her sister and brother in law Virginia Berkner Cullen and Jerome Cullen, her daughter Georgia Rethlake, her son John William Rethlake and her husband Commander (retired) USNR Maurice G. Rethlake.

Survivors include daughter and son in law Robbin and Daniel Antil, daughter and son in law Polly and H. Morris Stevens Jr., daughter Chris Rethlake, son and daughter in law Adam and Amber Rethlake, son Scott Rethlake, granddaughters Sarah Malcolm and husband Tim Malcolm, Rebekah Stevens Gibbs and husband Adam Gibbs, Norah Antil, Georgia Rethlake, grandsons Patrick Stevens and wife Karin Stevens, Jordan Antil and Mikal Rethlake.

A visitation and rosary service will be held on Sunday, February 14, 2016. With visitation from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. and the rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35 Pflugerville, Texas. A Mass of the resurrection will be celebrated on Monday, February 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 1520 Railroad Avenue, Pflugerville, Texas. Interment will be held at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 South Interstate 35, Austin, Texas.

A special thank you to Hospice Austin, the staff at Heavenly Health Care, The Knights of Columbus, and numerous friends, family and clergy.

Memorial contribution may be made to the Special Olympics, Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, or a charity of your choice.