SR0497 LRB094 14672 LCT 49626 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Karl Berning, formerly of Deerfield, who
4 passed away September 26, 2005; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Karl Berning graduated from high school in
6 Washington state and was a 1933 graduate of Blackburn College
7 in Carlinville; and
 
8     WHEREAS, He married Alpha Nina Mikkelsen on December 31,
9 1939, in Fredsville, Iowa; following their marriage, the
10 Bernings moved to Deerfield, where they lived until Mr.
11 Berning's retirement in 1983; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Mr. Berning's public service began in 1946, when
13 he was elected to fill an unexpired term as the West Deerfield
14 Township constable; without suffering an election defeat, Mr.
15 Berning went from constable to West Deerfield Township
16 supervisor in 1953, which included a membership on the Lake
17 County Board, to Lake County treasurer in 1962; in 1966, he was
18 elected to the State Senate as a Republican and was re-elected
19 four times until his retirement in 1983; and
 
20     WHEREAS, He was twice elected chairman of the Lake County
21 Board; during his tenure, the Lake County Public Works
22 Department was established to bring sewer and water service to
23 western Lake County and the Lake County Public Commission was
24 formed, which built the new Lake County administration
25 building; and
 
26     WHEREAS, Mr. Berning was the first president of the Lake
27 County Forest Preserve District that purchased the first forest
28 preserve district land in Lake County; he was also among
29 several people who helped establish a permanent home for the
30 Lake County Museum; and
 

 

 

SR0497 - 2 - LRB094 14672 LCT 49626 r

1     WHEREAS, Karl Berning was also active in his community; he
2 was a life elder at Trinity United Church of Christ in
3 Deerfield, a member of the Lions Club, and was a 32nd degree
4 Mason; he was active in many local theater productions in
5 Deerfield; and
 
6     WHEREAS, While living in Florida, he was a volunteer
7 mediator for 15 years in the 20th Judicial Circuit Lee County
8 Small Claims Court; he was active in the Lee County Republican
9 Executive Committee, the Trawler Village Board, and the
10 Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Karl Berning was preceding in death by his wife,
12 Alpha Nina, in 2002; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Mr. Berning will be deeply missed by all those who
14 knew him and loved him, especially his sons, Grant (Beverly)
15 and Randall (Carol Ann); his daughter, Penny (Larry) Schafer;
16 his grandchildren, Bryan (Robin) Berning, Andrew (Lauren)
17 Schafer, Karmin (Thomas) Schafer Hansen, and Mathew Berning;
18 and his six great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
19     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
20 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
21 his family and friends, the passing of Karl Berning; and be it
22 further
 
23     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
24 presented to his family.