Ruth Elizabeth Priscilla Berkel, nee Stratmann, 99, of Belleville, IL, born December 5, 1925, in Millstadt, IL, died Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Colonnade Senior Living, O’Fallon, IL.
Ruth graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1943. After high school she worked for Millstadt Milling Company. She left in 1946 to raise her family. She was a stay-at-home mom while raising her family. Ruth loved to work in the garden and she either canned or froze all the vegetables they raised.
After their last child entered kindergarten, Ruth operated “Berkel Custom Baking.” She worked from her home and produced many beautiful and delicious desserts. She was well known for her original and unique birthday cakes and wedding cakes. Ruth also made Christmas and Easter cookies by the thousands. And who can forget her fresh strawberry pies? She enjoyed her customers, “Because I never deal with sad people!”
After retiring in 1985, she did shirt painting, and for several years all her family wore her works of art. Ruth also donated many hours to helping at her church, St. Augustine of Canterbury, where she served as a volunteer Eucharistic Minister and Lector. In retirement, she and her husband, Lee, built a beautiful display of hybrid iris in their garden, peaking at over 270 varieties. Also, in the spring there were over 70 varieties of daffodils showing off their beautiful colors. She enjoyed getting the family together as much as possible, often having them gather in the backyard for an impromptu meal or get-together.
She spent 11 years living at the Colonnade, where she enjoyed being as active as possible. Thanks to the Colonnade for doing such a good job. She loved living there.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Leroy J. Berkel, whom she married on May 8, 1946, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Paderborn, IL; a son, Thomas R. Berkel; two brothers, Leonard and Wilfred Stratmann; two sisters, Mildred Stratmann and Blanche Stratmann Rehling; a brother-in-law, Edward Rehling; two daughters-in-law, Sandy Johann and Mimi Brown; and two grandchildren, Patrick Jonathon Martin and Miriam Tokarsky.
She is survived by eight children, Kenneth (Christiane) Berkel of Rubicon WI, Charles (Sandy) Berkel of Edwardsville, IL, Edgar (Bena Silber) Berkel of Poughkeepsie, NY, Janet (Dwain) Sorenson Hill of Rochester, IL, Joanne Lippincott of Belleville, IL, Margaret (Edward) Williams of Shiloh, IL, Barbara (Bruce) Jeremiah of Steeleville, IL, and Steven (Maggie Kirk) Berkel of St. Jacob, IL; a daughter-in-law, Susan Berkel of Troy, IL; 29 grandchildren; 58 great-grandchildren and two on the way; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church or in the form of masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
