The Life of Ms. Deborah L. Berger
Deborah L. (Hensinger) Berger, 65, of Kutztown, and formerly of Maxatawny, died suddenly on Monday, August 3, 2020 following a cardiac incident. She was born in Allentown and was a daughter of the late Elmer F. “Buddy” and Eleanor M. (DeLong) Hensinger.
She was a 1973 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, where she also attended vo-tech for Cosmetology and Hairdressing. Debbie was the owner and operator of Hasch Daal Custom Embroidery, Silk Screening and Promotional Items, Kutztown from 1999 until the present. Prior to owning her own business, Debbie was employed by Kutztown University where she was a clothing buyer for their bookstore. She also was a former hairdresser.
Debbie was a dedicated and active member of The Northeastern Berks Chamber of Commerce, where she was a former member of the Board of Directors and was also a member of several committees within the Chamber for many years. She was also a member of Zion’s Union Church of Maxatawny, and Business Owners Trade Alliance (BOTA).
Debbie enjoyed taking rides in her convertible, reading, crafts, trips to the casino, porch sitting, socializing, and spending time with her family, friends and her cat, Presley. Above all, she loved being with and supporting her grandchildren.
Debbie is survived by her two children, Kerry A., husband of Trisha L. (Weigle) Berger, Kutztown and Kelly M. (Berger) wife of Andrew C. Weisner, Lenhartsville; and her four grandchildren who she loved and adored, Marisa L. and Sadie S. Berger, and Konnor B. and Alex W. Weisner.
She is also survived by her brother, Randy E., husband of Donna B. (Bauman) Hensinger, Kempton, and their children, Magenta J. and Jade A. Hensinger; and many cousins and their families.
A memorial service to honor and celebrate Debbie’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at The Kutztown Park Band Shell, 440 East Main Street, Kutztown.
A visitation with her family will take place on Tuesday evening, August 25, 2020 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, and again on Wednesday morning from 9:15 to 10:15 AM at The Kutztown Park Band Shell.
Click here to view the LIVE STREAM of Debbie's Celebration of Life Service
Burial will be held privately by her family. Current CDC guidelines regarding gathering size limitations and social distancing will be enforced and masks will be required.
The family requests contributions be made in Debbie’s memory to The Kutztown Community Library, 70 Bieber Alley, Kutztown, PA 19530.
Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.
Click to View Tribute Slideshow
Filter Ms. Deborah L. Berger's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
2015.01.08
Interviewing Deb
Deb was always quick to say hello and welcome me to all the Eastern Pa. Business Owner Network get-togethers in Kutztown (where I met her, I believe in November 2014). She was always so helpful to everything I was trying to do in my job as business editor of the Reading Eagle, including her extraordinary kindness when it came to matters of the Northeast Berks Chamber. She was easily one of the kindest, most gentle souls I have ever known. She welcomed me with open arms to anything Kutztown-related. In the January 2015 Reading Eagle Money pages, I wrote about Deb, owner of Hasch Daal Custom Embroidery, and her work with James Ludwick of the Ludwick Funeral Home to embroider a blue racecar on a white casket blanket for a recently deceased man who loved motor sports. I thought that was cool when I spoke to her about it at that week's EPBON meeting, which I think was January 8. But there have been too many kindnesses to remember them all. It was always a joy to see Deb, and I will miss her, deeply.
2020.08.07
So Sorry
We are so sorry to hear of Debbie's passsing. She was a fun and energetic business woman, neighbor and friend. I will always remember our trip to Alaska and softball sidelines. Prayers to her family and all who loved her. ~ The Webb Family
2020.08.07
A dear friend
I will always remember Debbie, from the Kutztown sesquicentennial through school and up to the present. She was always so happy and cheerful. She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
2020.08.08
So Sad!
Deb always had a smile on her face. She always made me feel happy when we met up at different events. She was an amazing lady. Always active in Kutztown. She will be sorely missed. Rest easy my friend!
2020.08.08
Thank you
My heart breaks at the loss of Debbie. Her positive, friendly nature was such a blessing to everyone in the business community and her love for her grandchildren will live inside them forever. Debbie will be greatly missed by so many people.
2020.08.08
Classmate
Debbie and I were business ladies and she always had something nice to say. She was the manager of the KU bookstore when I had my toy store. We both sold Beanie Babies and would swap stories about the crazy mania. We laughed a lot together. She also helped us put class reunions together. When I read the news of her passing, I was shocked. Condolences to your entire family. May she rest in peace. Im sure her jolly laughter is cheering people in heaven.
2020.08.08
Friend
Debbie was such a fun-loving and creative lady. I am so saddened to learn of her passing (on Facebook), as we were friends working for Creative Expressions back in the late 70's, and had not seen each other for a long time, basically re-uniting on Facebook perhaps a year ago. To her dear family, MU husband Barry and I send our deepest condolences and fondest memories. God bless.
Cherylene Shollenberger
2020.08.08
She Got There First!
Such a loss! My experiences were always through community involvement. We would work on KCP/Chamber related activities and end up volunteering at similar events handing out water bottles or selling tickets.
My favorite memory was from a weekend morning years ago when we both happened to be highlighted for our work in the Berks Co. newspaper. We lived less than a few miles apart and since I did not receive a subscription to the paper I drove to the gas station next to Arby's to buy a copy so that I could see my article.
When I arrived the normal stack of newspapers was bone dry empty. So I asked the cashier if they were sold out. She said yes and that a lady who she said was also featured in the paper had come in and bought them all earlier.
We both got a laugh out of that irony the next time we saw each other and I was able to confirm that it was indeed Debbie who has scooped up all the papers that morning, and rightfully so. After all, inside that paper was a lovely story and photo of the newly named Northeast Berk Chamber Volunteer of the Year!
Your energy and enthusiasm will be missed my friend, much love to your family as they mourn your loss.
2020.08.08
Goodbye for now
One thing about Debbie will always ring true, she loved her son and daughter and her grandkids with her whole heart. Life may have been tough at times, but she always had a smile on her face and goodness in her heart. Our journey as friends started 30 plus years ago and no matter where time took us, she was always sweet and loving to my kids as they grew into adulthood. Her moon pies on camping trips were 2nd to none, and her attention to detail was epic. I'm so sad for Kerry and Kelly and their children, as she loved them with everything she had , and was so proud of them and all their accomplishments. I'm sure she's in heaven wrapped in Buddy and Elenors arms . Rest easy my friend.
2020.08.08
A Smiling Face
I met Debbie when I started working at the KU bookstore as a student worker. She was always so much fun to be around and we shared a lot of laughs. I'm glad that we stayed in touch over the years and that I was lucky enough to call her a friend.
2020.08.08
Memories
DEBBIE DAUGHTER IN LAW WENT TO SCHOOL WITH MY DAUGHTER THE GRANDCHILDREN PLAYED T BALL TOGETHER NEW HER PARENTS TOO SHE WAYS DID HAVE A WONDERFUL SMILE THAT BEAMED TRUE HONESTY AND FRIENDSHIP TO EVERYONE SHE MET. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY ESPECIALLY THE GRANDCHILDREN SHE LOVED SO MUCH REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND
2020.08.08
Miss her smile
I knew Debbie as a customer first then a friend while we were both on the NBCC board. She was a great asset showing me the ropes and we became good friends. She always had a smile on her face! She will keep smiling in heaven, even though she was taken from us too early. We usually swapped stories of our grandkids. I will miss her!
2020.08.09
4-H Memories
Debbie has many ties to 4-H and was a big supporter of the 4-H program. I first got to know Debbie as a voice over the phone. For years, her company made t-shirts and sweatshirts for the Lehigh County 4-H Equine Club. The clothing had the club logo and either a member’s name or their horse’s name printed on it. Debbie worked with us to keep the costs at a minimum for our 4-H members while still providing good quality clothing. Past and current 4-H members and leaders still proudly wear those items today. To gain public speaking skills, 4-H members have to give a speech every year. The Equine Club had 3 or 4 judges listen to the speeches and give the members feedback to help them improve their public speaking skills. Each year, Debbie volunteered to be a judge. She was always a smiling judge who helped to educate the 4-H’ers with fair and honest feedback. She told me that she enjoyed learning about horses and helping the 4-H members grow their life skills. Debbie then became a judge at the 4-H Regional Communications Contests. 4-H Members across 9 counties benefitted from Debbie’s feedback on their speeches. Anyone who knew Debbie could tell how proud she was of her children and her grandchildren…and for good reason. I know that Debbie was a good mom and grandmother because she raised a phenomenal daughter who is now raising 2 boys who are going to grow up to be just like their grandmother and mother - kind hearted, smart, caring, sharing, friendly, hardworking, and helpful people. I knew Debbie as Kelly’s mom; Konnor, Alex, Marisa, and Sadie’s grandmother; a knowledgeable Public Speaking Judge; a smart businesswoman; and a wonderful human being. Debbie will be missed by many in the 4-H community but especially by me and my family. Our hearts go out to her family especially my dear friend Kelly and Andy, Kerry and Trisha, Konnor, Alex, Marisa, and Sadie.
2020.08.09
A new star
Debbie and I met at a Creative Expressions party over 35 years ago. We had a love of needlecrafts and a desire to share that love with others. Through our work together, we learned that we have daughters who were born a day apart and sons who were about the same age. This lead to years of shared birthdays for the girls at Chi-Chi's complete with sombreros. We also shared family camping weekends at Robin Hill and Knoebel's. Oh, the stories we have shared from those weekends!
Whatever new adventure Debbie was on, you could be assured that she was doing it with all her heart. Few people live life as fully as Debbie did. As with all lives, there were bumps in the road. But Debbie always had a smile and kind words for everyone she met. Her beautiful smile, kind and generous heart, and contagious laugh drew people to her and their lives are better for having her in it. I believe that Debbie was sent to us to be a model for how we should all live our lives. Live life to the fullest each day - laugh every day and share it with everyone you meet - love as if loving has no bounds. Debbie did all of this, but most of all, she loved. She loved everyone she met, but most especially her children and grandchildren. Her love for them was boundless. I know that the love and dedication she has shown to them will help them through this time of loss.
When you look at the night sky, you will see a new star there tonight. God has taken our dear Debbie and added her to all the other angels in heaven and given her a star. It will be easy to find the Debbie Berger star. It's the brightest new star in the heavens. As you shine down on us each night, know that you are in my heart and memories, my dear friend. God bless, protect, and watch over your family during this time of loss.
2020.08.11
A Beautiful Soul
I met Debbie 10+ years ago when I joined the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce. I had just started my business and was new to the chamber. At the first networking event I attended Debbie introduced herself and from that day forward we became friends. Always the cheerleader, she encouraged me both in my business and personal growth. I will miss her smile and her contagious laughter. When Debbie was around you couldn't help but be happy! She genuinely loved people but most of all her children and grandchildren. She was well loved and will be missed. I'll miss "Wind Therapy" in her convertible PT Cruiser! I have so many great memories of times spent together. Until we meet again, my friend. Love you!
2020.08.12
Fun Memory
Looking thru some pictures and found this picture of Deb & me at party celebrating another friend's appearance on television. It waa a fun evening. Just one of the happy memories of a great friend.
2020.08.25
Loved reading
Debbie was a frequent visitor to the Kutztown Community Library, sharing her love of reading and stories with the staff. She was a special part of our lives. Please find comfort in knowing that the donations given to the library will help us enhance our collection and provide more programs for the community. We are so sorry for your loss.