Maria Elizabeth Berschdorf

Born January 8, 1922, Maria Anna Martha Natsch in Ziegenhals, Germany. Daughter of Julius and Martha Natsch (nee Natsch).

Born to eternal life June 3, 2021, age 99.

Spouse of the late Norbert Berschdorf, and devoted mother of the late Renata Berschdorf, Veronica (Dr. William) Esser and Angela (Luc) Piessens. She is survived by her stepsister Christa (Heinrich) Gerdes. She was the devoted Oma of her loving grandchildren Dr. Jerome (Katie) Esser, Christopher (Lynn) Esser, Daniel (Lisa) Piessens, and Kristina (Maxx) Valenti as well as the great grandmother of Alexander, Will, Julia, Jonathan, Ellie, Emma, Charlotte, Oliver, and Finian. She is further survived by nieces and nephews Kaia Van Heerden (Reuter) and Hanno Reuter in South Africa, Markus Reuter, Christian Honke, and Anna-Maria Hesse in Germany, and Uta Junghardt (Reuter) in Switzerland. She was also preceded in death by her sister Edeltraud Ortner, brother-in-law Adolph Ortner, and stepbrother Joachim Natsch, all in Germany.

Maria came from 2 generations of German Master Bakers. She attended Marienfried, a private Catholic school in Ziegenhals, learning vast skills in home economics.
In 1942 she became a Red Cross Nurse Volunteer in the main hospital in Neisse (Germany) where she met her future husband Norbert. On June 15, 1943, she married Norbert Berschdorf, a Master Organ Builder.

She immigrated to the U.S. in May 1949 with her husband and 2 young daughters Veronica and Renata. Norbert and Maria started the Berschdorf Organ Company in 1950. They moved within the Midwest and, in 1962, settled in Brookfield, WI, and established the Berschdorf Organ Co. in Sussex, WI.

Maria belonged to the Schlesien and Technisher Verein Clubs and to the Christian Mothers of St. John Vianney parish. Maria and Norbert were long time members of St. Mary Visitation Catholic Church in Elm Grove, WI.

Her love of skiing, mountain hiking in Austria, along with her expertise in baking, cooking, and sewing for love of her family were enjoyed by all.
Most of all, her deep faith, trust in God, and love for her entire family was the legacy she left behind.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 12th at St. Camillus, Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, 10201 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee (follow signs to the North Residence), at 10:00 AM. Rosary at 10:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM with Father Naveen Pallurathil officiating. Burial to follow at St. Mary Visitation Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Camillus Hospice for the tender and loving care that they gave to our mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Eternal Word Television Network.