Delores Mary (Martens) Berkness 

December 25, 1929 - April 13, 2025

Delores Mary (Martens) Berkness, 95, of Baldwin City, KS, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Rock Creek of Ottawa surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on December 25, 1929, in Jackson, MN, to Louis Richard Martens and Martha “Keeler” Martens.

On February 7th, 1954, Delores married her beloved husband Curtis Berkness, and they welcomed their only daughter, Gladys, on August 11th, 1955. In 2020, she relocated from Worthington, Minnesota, to Baldwin City, Kansas to be closer to her daughter. Delores cherished assisting her daughter in gardening and planting flowers. She eagerly anticipated the summer season to watch her grandson and great-great grandchildren participate in the demolition derby, where she was their biggest supporter.

Delores is survived by her daughter, Gladys M. “Berkness” “Anderson” Thill of Topeka, KS; granddaughter, Jennifer (Duane) DePauw of Brandon, SD; grandson, Thomas (Jana) Anderson of Pomona, KS; great-grandchildren, Zach DePauw, Sara (David) Kiefer, Adrianne (Jeff) Begalka, Tessa Barnes of South Dakota, Logan Anderson of Kansas, Jacob DePauw of South Dakota, and Sierra Anderson of Kansas, nine great-great-grandchildren, with one on the way; granddog, Zee Anderson; along with many nieces and nephews.

Delores was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She cherished spending time with her family and was an enthusiastic supporter of her grandchildren in the demolition derby. After moving to Kansas in 2020, she became a grandmother to many others in the derby community.

In her working years, Delores contributed to Campbell’s Soup Company till 1984, she retired to care for her husband, Curtis, following his massive stroke, which left him disabled until his passing in 2001. Delores dedicated nearly 17 years to being his caretaker, demonstrating remarkable love and devotion.

Delores was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Martha; her husband, Curtis; her siblings, Harold and Floyd; son in law; Jim Thill and her beloved granddog, Daisy.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 7th 2025, from 2pm to 4pm at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 205 Oxford Street, Worthington, MN 56187. Burial will be done at a later date with immediate family.