Germaine E. (Prokash) Berkovitz

Germaine E. Berkovitz, 92, of Manitowoc passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Germaine was born on June 19, 1933 in Kewaunee County, to Joseph and Emma (Shimanek) Prokash. She was a graduate of Kewaunee High School and furthered her education at Milwaukee State Teachers College, now known as UW-Milwaukee. On January 23, 1954, she married James Berkovitz. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2003. Over the years, she was employed part time as a secretary to Pastoral Associate at Holy Innocents and then as an Administrative Assistant at Woodland Dunes.

Germaine was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, where she was a part of the St. Clare Society, Wednesday Bible Study, distributed communion, and prepared and led prayer services at Holy Family Hospital and local nursing homes. She took pride in being able to volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul and the Capital Civic Centre, and enjoyed her friendships made with her Bridge Groups.

Germaine is survived by her daughter: Linda (Josh) Jelinek, and their children: Jake (Alyssa) Jelinek (great-grandchildren: Ozias, Ambrose, and Artemis), Sam (Amy) Jelinek (great-grandchildren: Ollie, Lyra, and Phineas), and Emma (Michael) Neveu (great-grandchildren: James, John, and Ellie), and daughter: Lisa (Perk) Foster, and their children: Laura (Michael) Jackson, Sarah (Daniel) Grear (great-grandchildren: Addie and Tony), Joshua (Elizabeth) Pabian, and Jenna (Andre) Saint Louis; and brother-in-law: Martin Heuer. She is further survived by 35 nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Germaine was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Emma Prokash; husband: James W. Berkovitz; sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Sylvester (Louise) Prokash, Floyd (Rose) Prokash, Irene Prokash, Regina (Al) Annoye, Isabel (Joe) Seidl, Shirley (Donald) Detampel, and Roland (Evelyn) Berkovitz; and father and mother-in-law: Roy and Marie Berkovitz.

A funeral service to celebrate Germaine’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 12:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi – Waldo Site, 1121 N. 14th Street, with Rev. Nicholas Stellpflug and Rev. Larry Seidl concelebrating the Mass of Christina Burial. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 5:00 -7:00 pm at the Pfeffer Funeral Home and again on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the CHURCH from 10:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 pm. Germaine will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Donations can be made to the Salvation Army or Woodland Dunes in her memory.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of HomeCare Health Services and Hospice, hospice nurse, Olivia, and the Salvation Army, especially Chaplain, Phyllis for all the care, compassion, and support given to Germaine.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Jens location, is assisting the family with arrangements.  

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