Barbara Jean Berger

Barbara Jean Berger was born on January 12, 1933, to Charles Weaver and Georgia Elizabeth (Ellmaker) Chase. She died on August 21, 2025, at the age of 92. Barbara was an artist at heart, gifted at painting and sketching, and had a creative and quirky knack with decorating, jewelry making, and other crafts. Prior to marriage she was a civilian employee at Warren Air Force base in WY, and later for the department of highway safety, collating data on computer punch cards. She was proud of this history. She was at the forefront of the computer revolution, owning a personal computer in 1983, an intelligent woman ahead of her time. She created a home-based china matching and repair business that satisfied some of her artistic and entrepreneurial aspirations. Barbara built her dream home in Breckenridge, CO and was a resident there for 25 years. A passionate international traveler, her Breckenridge house is still decorated by mementos of her travels. Barbara liked to cook and entertain family, friends, and guests who arrived on her doorstep. She loved and lost many dogs through the years, pampering them like children.

Through her marriage with James C. Berger, Barbara had four children: Karen (Jeff) Kaiser, Linda (David) Hellmich, Michael (GayeLynn) Berger, and Lisa (Ed Blank) Berger, as well as 9 grandchildren (Trevor Kaiser (Inge), Chelsea Kaiser Dunckley (Luke), Lara Hellmich Hendlin (Joshua), Caitlin Hellmich Trebelhorn (Brendon), Mary Hellmich (Nicolás Mútolo Terzano), Chase Berger, Alec Berger (Ilaria), McCall Berger Renjard (Gunnar), and Gabrielle Berger Berghorst (Josh)), and11 great-grandchildren (Anders Kaiser, Isaak Kaiser, Dylan Dunckley, Jaxson Dunckley, Kemper Dunckley, Natalie Hendlin, Noah Hendlin, Tove Trebelhorn, James Trebelhorn, Griffin Renjard, and Alistair Renjard). Preceding Barbara in death was her partner, Michael Horan. In her final years, Barbara was lovingly tended to by her devoted caregiver Angelina Pacheco.

Barbara has been cremated per her wishes, with the spreading of ashes and a celebration of life planned for November 15, 2025, in Breckenridge, CO. For questions, details, or to confirm attendance, please contact Karen at [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to Heifer International, a charitable foundation close to her heart.