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Harry Benjamin Berendzen passed away on December 26, 2004. He was born February 14, 1929, in Mary's Home, MO to George and Olivia Berendzen. He attended St. John's Minor Seminary in Kansas City, MO and studied theology and philosophy at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained a Catholic priest on March 17, 1956. He ministered in various parishes in Kansas City for 14 years. He was also executive secretary for ecumenical affairs for the diocese, a religion teacher, high school counselor, and chaplain at the VA hospital. He was loved and respected by those he served. In 1970 he resigned from the priesthood and began working in the education department of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, DC. He moved to Albuquerque in 1971. He began his own consulting business in which he continued working with Native American bilingual education programs in New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, and Alaska. He was an excellent photographer and loved gardening, nature, and being with his family. His gentle spirit and generous smile will be missed. He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 34 years, their son Peter and his wife Jenna of Minneapolis and their daughter Dr. Susan Berendzen and her husband Dr. Cody Deen of Albuquerque, as well as his brother Bob and his wife Clarann of St. Louis, his sister Mary of Mary's Home, his sister Susan and her husband Gene Atkinson of Jefferson City, MO and many nieces and nephews and friends. The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers at CareFree Living and Presbyterian Hospice. Donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at French Mortuary 10500 Lomas NE on Thursday, December 30 at 3 pm.
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