Ursula Whelan

Ursula (Berbecker) Whelan, beloved wife, mother and Oma, passed away surrounded by the love of her family, near and far, on September 23, 2026, at the age of 87.

She was born in Vienna, Austria on October 18, 1938, to Leone (Henninger) and Ernst Berbecker. In 1940, after her father’s passing, her family moved to Karlsruhe, Germany where she grew up with her mother and brother Manfred. After her schooling in Karlsruhe-Ruppurr she studied English at the University of Heidelberg. Her love for adventure took her to England, where she worked as a nanny and perfected her English. Upon returning to Germany, she began working at the nearby US Army Base. This is where she met Mark, an Army officer from Wisconsin. They were married on April 9, 1960, in Karlsruhe, beginning a marriage that would last 66 years. They moved to the United States in 1961, where she proudly became a citizen in 1965.

Ursula became a mother with the birth of Glenn while living in Madison, followed by Nancy in Neenah, then welcomed Ruth, John, and Jane after settling into their lifelong home of Chippewa Falls. Her gifts as a wife, mother, and grandmother were many, including the comforting home she created, meals made with love, and her ability to bring joy into her family's lives. To her eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, she was known as Oma, and she cherished every moment with them. She volunteered at their schools, read countless books, cheered them on at their activities, traveled the world with them, and sang German songs and nursery rhymes many times over. She will be remembered for her strength, constant presence in our lives, unconditional love, and Oma Hugs!

Ursula was a true entrepreneur and visionary. She started the German Kindergarten in Chippewa Falls, developed an exchange program for high school students between Germany and Chippewa Falls, taught German classes to many children and adults, and shared German traditions including a favorite of making gingerbread houses. She was immensely proud of her German heritage, loved teaching others, and as a result broadened many lives.

She started Das Brotchen, her German bakery known for pretzels, in her kitchen in the 1980s. Alongside her dear friend and business partner, Pat Oppegard, the business grew and they rolled and baked pretzels in the early morning hours for many years. She continued baking with Mark after Pat’s retirement, until Ursula hung up her apron in 2012.

Ursula was involved in many community organizations including the PEO sisterhood, Chippewa Falls Oktoberfest, and the Viennese Ball Board at UWEC. She loved serving as a mentor with the Chippewa Area Mentor Program. In 1986, when the Stutz family from Switzerland lived in Chippewa Falls, Ursula spent the school year attending classes alongside their daughters as a translator, creating a lifelong bond. Upon learning she had Parkinson’s Disease, she facilitated a support group that served the Chippewa Valley supporting others with this disease, providing therapy, education and a caring community.

Ursula was preceded in death by her parents, Ernst and Leone; her son, Glenn; and granddaughter, Chelsea were also there to welcome her home with open arms.

She is survived by her husband, Mark; children, Ruth Erdmann (Jeff), John Whelan (Julie), Jane Duren (Wayne), and Nancy Whelan; daughter-in-law, Lynda Whelan; son-in-law, Michael Flanagan; and bonus daughter, Sandra Lattman-Stutz in Switzerland. She is loved by her grandchildren, Andrew Whelan, Kennedy Vela Erdmann (Gustavo), Jackson Erdmann, Lara Erdmann (CJ), Alex Duren, Tommy Duren, Ava Whelan, Maki Whelan, Vivian Whelan, and Jonathan Flanagan; and great-grandchildren, Akeelah Whelan and Brett Whelan; her brother, Manfred Berbecker (Sigrid) survives her in Germany; along with nieces and nephews, and other relatives, in both Germany and the United States.

Ursula’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Dove Healthcare in Bloomer, St. Croix Hospice, and many others who compassionately cared for her over the years. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the kindness and love you gave Ursula and our family.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ursula's life on Friday, October 2, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. A meal will follow the service at the church. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be considered to the Mentor Chippewa Endowment Fund (through the Community Foundation of Chippewa Falls) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.