🕊️ In Loving Memory: Lillian Novak Berger
January 6, 1939 – July 20, 2025
Lillian Novak Berger, age 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 20, 2025. She was born on January 6, 1939, in Flatonia, Texas, to the late Albert Novak and Lillie Polasek Novak.
On April 15, 1961, Lillian married Baltus James “B.J.” Berger at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church in LaSalle, Texas. Together, they built a loving and faith-filled home, raising two children and sharing fifty-one and a half years of marriage rooted in devotion and community.
Lillian was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic minister, Sunday school teacher, and active member of the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters. She and B.J. chaired many church festivals and were known for their tireless service and joyful presence. Professionally, Lillian was a proud member of Credit Women International and enjoyed a 39-year career in banking after graduating from Victoria Business/Banking College. After retirement, she spent many years helping with her church and worked part-time at the Cuero Livestock Auction.
Her life was marked by love, generosity, and faith. She cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother (“Mi Mi”), great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Lillian loved to sew, quilt, and dance—especially polkas and waltzes—and was a member of the genre dance club in Dacosta. Summers were spent at “the lake,” water skiing and enjoying time with family and friends. She was also deeply involved in her children’s 4-H projects, working alongside B.J. to raise chickens and lambs on their Mission Valley ranch.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lillie Novak; her beloved husband, B.J. Berger; her daughter, Teresa Berger Dodson; her sister-in-law, JoAnn Novak; and other cherished family members.
She is survived by her son, Michael James Berger and wife Sheli of Victoria; grandchildren Cameron Berger, Colby Berger, Michaela Berger Yandell, Darion Dodson, Sydney Dodson, and Braden Dodson; great-grandchildren Chaplin Berger and Waylon Yandell; brother James Novak and wife Connie; and brother-in-law Fred Berger and wife Marie.
Visitation was held on Sunday, July 27, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with entombment at Resurrection Cemetery. The Catholic Daughters provided an Honor Guard throughout both services.
Serving as pallbearers were her six grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers included members of the Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society and Catholic Daughters.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in memory of Lillian.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.