BERK, ZELMA - Dallas County, Texas | ZELMA BERK - Texas Gravestone Photos

Zelma BERK

Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park (aka Hillcrest Memorial Park) Cemetery
Dallas County,
Texas

Feb 5, 1919 - June 2, 2014

Section; Congregation Tiferet Israel

*Obituary

Berk, Zelma Koenigsberg Zelma Koenigsberg Berk, daughter of Morris and Annie (Kirschner) Koenigsberg passed away, surrounded by her loved ones on June 2, 2014. Zelma was born in Michigan and moved to Texas when she was six months old. Zelma's parents operated dry goods stores throughout the state of Texas. In her early years, she lived in Killeen, Cameron, Paris, and Dallas. When Zelma was twelve, she learned to drive and drove her family cross country to attend market in New York City. In her married years, she lived in Bloomingrove, San Antonio, Taylor, and Dallas, where she lived the rest of her life. Zelma attended Brown Elementary School in Dallas, Paris High School, UT Austin, and graduated SMU with a degree in history. In 1940, Joe Statman introduced Zelma to a young doctor, William (Bill) Berk. They were married at the Melrose Hotel in Dallas in 1942. A woman ahead of her time, she had a tremendous sense of business and investing. In the late '50's and '60's she would travel around the Dallas/Fort Worth area looking for real estate investment opportunities. Zelma also belonged to a ladies stock investment group. She rarely missed the evening news, was always up on current events, and loved to engage in political dialogue. Zelma loved to travel. She traveled the world; some with husband Bill, some with friends, and as soon as her three grandchildren were old enough, their Nana took them on trips near and far, whether east coast or west coast, Paris, Texas or Paris, France. Zelma loved having parties and enjoyed cooking everything for the celebrations. She was a fantastic cook, always willing to try a new recipe (ask about the bourbon pecan pie) and was known for her blintzes and chopped liver. She loved to play cards and wouldn't miss her twice weekly game of pan with the ladies. Zelma was rarely seen without her hair done and makeup on. She loved spending time with friends and hated to miss going out with them. She particularly enjoyed her Thursday luncheons as well as Saturday night outings. Her greatest joy was spending time with family, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Zelma had a great sense of humor that would lighten even the most difficult of times. She was extremely compassionate, inquisitive of the world around her, never met a stranger, and a student of the arts. She was always a lady, but she was very strong willed, and extremely stubborn. There was no guessing where you stood, she would let you know. Zelma belonged to Hadassah, National Council of Jewish Women, Women's Auxiliary of the Dallas County Medical Society, delivered Meals on Wheels, and her favorite volunteer position was working for the JCC Polio drive. She was a member of Tiferet Israel Congregation for over 68 years. Zelma was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William (Bill) Berk and her brother, Harry Lee Koenigsberg. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Gary Berman, granddaughter, Marcy Berman, son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Sheri Berk, grandsons Rabbi Eric Berk and Alex Berk, sister-in-law, Nancy Koenigsberg, and first cousin, Selma Bookatz. Being an animal lover, she will also be missed by her great granddog, Miss Daisy, and her great grandcat, Callie. A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers who were so loving and compassionate: Dora Avila, Veronica Adkins, Felicia Thompson, Libby Brownrigg, Delannia Cleveland, Karry Cheadle, and Donna Cole. Graveside services will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, 75225 on Tuesday June 3rd, 2014 at 2:00PM Rabbi Shawn Zell officiating. Reception to follow in Tobian Auditorum at Temple Emanu-El, 8500 Hillcrest Drive, Dallas, Texas 75225. Pallbearers are Eric Berk, Alex Berk, Gary Berman, Nathan Friedman, Joe Friedman, Justin Aurbach, Michael Aurbach, Bart Bookatz, Steve Bookatz, Ira Silverman, and Leland Huttner. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tiferet Israel, 1909 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, 75230, Alzheimer's Association, 4144 North Central Expressway, #750, Dallas, 75204, or to the charity of your choice.

Published in Dallas Morning News on Jun. 3, 2014.

Photo courtesy of Annette Shaw

Contributed on 2/6/21 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 386871

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Additional BERK Surnames in SPARKMAN HILLCREST MEMORIAL PARK (AKA HILLCREST MEMORIAL PARK) Cemetery

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Submitted: 2/6/21 • Approved: 2/8/21 • Last Updated: 2/11/21 • R386871-G386871-S3

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