Norris E. “Jack” Berry, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. He was born Sept. 10, 1927, in Salem, to Gilbert E. and Elizabeth Mabel Norris. He married Ruth M. Jackley on May 12, 1951. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Ruth and Jack enjoyed their motorcycle adventures and relished spending many years at their “barn” getaway in Crivitz. Jack was a 1945 graduate of Wilmot High School and was a recipient of the 2018 Wilmot High School Alumni Hall of Fame award. He proudly served as a Corporal in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. He was an ombudsman for the State of Wisconsin Employer of the Guard and Reserve, receiving the Seven Service Seals Award. Jack embraced being a member of the 2012 Honor Flight.
Jack was a past vice-president of the Bank of Burlington. Serving and promoting the Burlington community and building lasting relationships along the way was a passion of his. He was a founder and chairman of Burlington’s inaugural Chocolate Fest. He served three consecutive terms as the second district alderman and was a past city council president. Jack served on the Burlington Rescue Squad and was a past captain and Honorary Member. Other community organizations he served on include the Burlington School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, and Lyceum.
Jack gave credence to the Rotary motto of “service above self and one profits most who serves best.” He served as a past Rotary president and past District Governor. He was dedicated to the mission of Rotary in the Burlington and global communities. He received the Paul Harris Fellowship from the Rotary Foundation and was the 2015 recipient of the Rotary Humanitarian Award.
Jack would often say “it’s all about family” and would be quick to share stories of his family and perhaps a favorite football memory or two. His children will be ever proud to be called and known as “Jack Berry’s daughters.”
Jack is survived by his wife, Ruth; daughters, Marilee (Scott) Hoffman of Burlington, Kathleen (Richard) Cable of Eau Claire, Jaclyn (Kriss) Spradley of Fort Collins, Colo., and Leslie (Scott) Fry of Fort Collins, Colo; grandchildren Krystyna (Michael) Hase, Jason (Laura) Hoffman, Joseph (Debra) Cable, Elizabeth (Jared) Benz, Kyle (Gretchen) Hoffman, Sara (Matthew) Vaught, Thomas (Tiara) Fry, Kasha (Jake) Rasmussen and Jackson Fry; twenty four great-grandchildren, Matthew, Elizabeth, and Olivia Hoffman, Michael, Amy, Heidi, Tommy, and Elsa Hase, Joey, Ameilya, Lyndee, and Mollee Cable, Leisl, Grace, Emma, Ty, and Trey Benz, Julia and Charlotte Hoffman, Crew, Mason, Wesley, and Reagan Vaught, and Jacob “Buck” Rasmussen; and brother-in-law Jack Marshall.
Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Gilbert (Etta) Berry; sisters, Gertrude (George) Hockney, Fern (Clem) Tilton, Bernice (Winston) Brown, Doris (Harvey) Beaster and Geraldine “Jerri” Marshall; and brother-in-law, Lester Bufton.
Jack’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate care given by Aurora Hospice Care and Burlington Memorial hospital nursing staff, Dr. Jolenta Twardy, Dr. Nicholas Otten and the caring staff at Oak Park Place.
The family welcomes donations in Jack Berry’s memory to the Burlington Rotary Rescue Squad Fund, P.O. Box 219 Burlington, WI 53105 or to Faith Chapel, 141 Westridge Avenue, Burlington, WI 53105 or online at: https://www.faithchapelefca.com/online-giving/
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel, 141 Westridge Avenue, Burlington.
Miller-Reesman, Kasuboski, Haas & Dahl Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be left at www.miller-reesman.com.
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