H0078
The study's number for this person. Cite it and it will always lead here, whatever the spelling.Berenice E. Burger
Born at Nebraska in 1903 and died in 1998.
born 21 Jun 1903 at Nebraska, United States died 7 Jan 1998
Life story
Nebraska
Berenice E. Burger was born on 21 June 1903 in Nebraska, the daughter of Louis Burger.1–3 In April 1930 she was living at home in Fullerton, the seat of Nance County, Nebraska, with her father, an agent, and his wife, Laura M. Berenice, then single, was a schoolteacher.3
A social worker in Pierce County
By 1950 Berenice had moved to Washington State and taken up social work. In April 1950 she was living at Dash Point, a waterfront community on Puget Sound northeast of Tacoma, and working as a supervising social worker for the Pierce County welfare department. She had never married. Sharing her home was Lotta D. Hegnauer, a divorced woman of 59 who was a children's worker with the same department; the census taker entered Lotta as Berenice's "partner" (see Research Notes).2, 4 Lotta had been living at Dash Point since at least 1949.5 She died at Tacoma in 1973, and her ashes were placed in New Tacoma Cemetery.6
Later years
When Lotta's daughter-in-law, Adelaide Louise (Curtis) Hegnauer, died at Longview in April 1995, her obituary named among her survivors "her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview". Adelaide's own mother had died in 1978; no record of an adoption has been found, and the obituary does not explain the word. The Berenice Burger of the obituary was very probably the Berenice of Dash Point (see Research Notes).7
“her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview”
Berenice's last home was at Puyallup, in Pierce County. She died on 7 January 1998, aged ninety-four, and was buried in New Tacoma Cemetery at University Place, the cemetery where Lotta's ashes lie.1, 6, 8
What we know
Proven
- Birth at Nebraska, 1903
- Occupation at Fullerton, 1930
- Occupation at Pierce County, 1950
- Death, 1998
- Burial at University Place, 1998
- 4 homes, from the census and other records
What's still open
- Sources. Her 1950 census entry was read on the image in the survey of Lotta Hegnauer's records, and Adelaide Hegnauer's 1995 obituary on the newspaper page.
- The household with Lotta D. Hegnauer. In April 1950 Lotta D. Hegnauer lived in Berenice's household, and the census gives her relationship to the head as "partner".
- "Adoptive mother" (1995). The obituary's word is recorded as given.
- Birth (corrected). 21 Jun 1903 (Social Security Death Index), which fits her age of 46 in April 1950; the family tree's 21 Jun 1904 was a year out.
- Death and burial. The Social Security Death Index gives 7 Jan 1998, with her last residence at Puyallup, as the family tree has it.
Sources
Sources 1–3
1 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1903
"U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014," database, Ancestry.com, Berenice E. Burger, born 21 June 1903; Social Security number issued in Washington, 1956–1958; last residence Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington (98371); died 7 January 1998 (index read 27 September 2026).
2 1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County
1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County, Washington, incorporated place Dash Point, E.D. 27-29, sheet 10, lines 28–29, dwelling 135: Berenice E. Burger [indexed "Berger"] (head, 46, never married, born Nebraska; supervisor social worker, Pierce County Welfare) and Lotta D. Hegnauer (59, divorced, born Indiana; social worker (children's worker), Pierce County Welfare); roll 2700; database with images, Ancestry.com. Also "United States, Census, 1950," FamilySearch.
3 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Fullerton
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Fullerton, Nance County, Nebraska, E.D. 6, sheet 1A, household of Louis Burger (head, married; agent), with his wife Laura M. (married) and his daughter Berenice E. (single; teacher); FHL microfilm 2341023; database with images, Ancestry.com (as attached in the Hegnauer/Putt family tree; records 107519896, 107519911 and 107519905; ages, birthplaces and the image not read in this pass).
Source 4
4 1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County
1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County, Washington, E.D. 27-29, page 10, dwelling 135, Lotta D. Hegnauer ("Partner", 59, divorced, born Indiana; social worker, children's worker, Pierce County welfare, government worker) in the household of Berenice E. Burger [indexed "Berger"] (head, 46); roll 2700; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read). Also "United States, Census, 1950," FamilySearch (event place Dash Point). FamilySearch record 6X15-X8T9
Source 5
5 U.S., City Directories, 1927
"U.S., City Directories, 1822–1995," database with images, Ancestry.com, further index entries for Lotta D. Hegnauer (images not read): Minneapolis 1927 (record 977510116), 1929 (900571088), 1934 (988714273), 1938 (1018434102), 1940 (800697113), 1941 (989970624), 1942 (802715212); Tacoma 1947 (815748875), 1949 ("Mrs Lotta D, Dash Point, visitor", 912066082), 1951 (782302795), 1953 ("Mrs Lotta D, soc wkr", 844451266), 1954 (804432350), 1955 (756240943).
Source 6
6 Find a Grave, memorial 244808061
Find a Grave, memorial 244808061, Lotta D Hegnauer (1890–1973), New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, Pierce County, Washington, EUT Section; photograph of a flat granite marker, "LOTTA D. HEGNAUER / 1890 1973" (findagrave.com/memorial/244808061). Also indexed in "U.S., Find a Grave Index," Ancestry.com; "Find a Grave Index," FamilySearch FamilySearch record 6JPN-5GVQ; and "BillionGraves Index," FamilySearch. FamilySearch record Q2S4-B4ZL
Source 7
7 Adelaide L. Hegnauer, 1995
"Adelaide L. Hegnauer," obituary, Longview Daily News (Longview, Washington), 21 April 1995, p. B2 ("News of Record"): Adelaide Louise Curtis Hegnauer, 74, of 2431 Kingfisher Lane, Kelso, died 19 April 1995 at St. John Medical Center; born 31 May 1920 in Montevideo, Minn., to Arthur and Hazel Curtis; had lived in the local area for 49 years; bookkeeper for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) until earlier that year; a member of the Church of the Risen Saviour; survived by three sons (Robert C. Hegnauer of Tacoma and two sons (living)), her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview, three sisters, Verna Potter of Montevideo, Dorothy Harbour of Maynard, Minn., and Inez Tallard of Milwaukie, Ore., 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild; preceded in death by a sister, Madge Curtis, and a brother, Arthur Curtis; memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Risen Saviour, 1170 17th Ave., Longview; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/575671218). Indexed in "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index," Ancestry.com (under a garbled name, "Adelaide L Hegnauer Adelaide"). A clipping of it is shared in Ancestry member trees.
Source 8
8 Find a Grave, memorial 244808037, 1998
Find a Grave, memorial 244808037, Bernice E Burger, New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, Pierce County, Washington (findagrave.com/memorial/244808037), as cited on her profile in the Hegnauer/Putt Ancestry tree (died 7 January 1998); not viewed in this pass.
More sources are in the evidence below.
Life in time
21 Jun 1903
Birth , Nebraska, United States
How we know
Social Security Death Index. Aged 46 in April 1950, born Nebraska. The family tree gives Fullerton, Nance County, without a source (see Research Notes).
The Social Security Death Index gives 21 Jun 1903 for Berenice E. Burger, whose number was issued in Washington and whose last residence was Puyallup; the date fits her age of 46 in the 1950 census (image read), which also gives Nebraska. The family tree's 21 Jun 1904 was a year out. No birth record has been found.
1930
Residence , Fullerton, Nance, Nebraska, United States
How we know
Daughter, single, a teacher, in the household of her father Louis Burger and his wife Laura M.
The 1930 census entry attached to her in the family tree. Not re-read in this pass.
1930
Occupation , Fullerton, Nance, Nebraska, United States
How we know
Teacher (1930 census, as indexed).
Her 1930 census entry, as attached in the family tree.
1950
Residence , Dash Point, Pierce, Washington, United States
How we know
E.D. 27-29, sheet 10, dwelling 135. Head, 46, never married, born Nebraska. In her household: Lotta D. Hegnauer, 59, divorced, a social worker (children's worker) with the Pierce County welfare, listed as "partner".
The 1950 census image (read in the survey of Lotta Hegnauer's records): the sheet heading names the incorporated place Dash Point, and her line gives her name, age, birthplace and occupation.
1950
Occupation , Pierce County, Washington, United States
How we know
Supervisor social worker, Pierce County Welfare (government work).
Her own line of the 1950 census.
Apr 1995
Residence , Longview, Cowlitz, Washington, United States
How we know
"Her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview", in the obituary of Adelaide Louise (Curtis) Hegnauer. The identification is probable, not proven (see Research Notes).
The obituary of Lotta Hegnauer's daughter-in-law names a Berenice Burger of Longview. The uncommon spelling Berenice and the tie to Lotta's family make it probable that she is this Berenice, but no other record places her at Longview.
Jan 1998
Residence , Puyallup, Pierce, Washington, United States
How we know
Last residence in the Social Security Death Index (ZIP code 98371, Puyallup).
The Social Security Death Index gives her last residence; it is the place the family tree gives for her death.
7 Jan 1998
Death
How we know
Social Security Death Index; last residence Puyallup, Pierce County. The place of death is not stated in any record read.
The Social Security Death Index gives Berenice E. Burger, born 21 Jun 1903, died 7 Jan 1998, with her last residence at Puyallup; the family tree gives the same date, and cites Find a Grave for her burial. No death certificate has been read, so no place is recorded; Puyallup is probable.
after 7 Jan 1998
Burial , University Place, Pierce, Washington, United States
How we know
New Tacoma Cemetery, where Lotta Hegnauer's ashes had been placed in 1973.
Find a Grave memorial 244808037, as cited in the family tree for her burial in New Tacoma Cemetery; not viewed in this pass.
-
1903 Birth
Social Security Death Index. Aged 46 in April 1950, born Nebraska. The family tree gives Fullerton, Nance County, without a source (see Research Notes).
The Social Security Death Index gives 21 Jun 1903 for Berenice E. Burger, whose number was issued in Washington and whose last residence was Puyallup; the date fits her age of 46 in the 1950 census (image read), which also gives Nebraska. The family tree's 21 Jun 1904 was a year out. No birth record has been found.
-
1930 Residence
Daughter, single, a teacher, in the household of her father Louis Burger and his wife Laura M.
The 1930 census entry attached to her in the family tree. Not re-read in this pass.
Source 3
-
1930 Occupation
-
1950 Residence
E.D. 27-29, sheet 10, dwelling 135. Head, 46, never married, born Nebraska. In her household: Lotta D. Hegnauer, 59, divorced, a social worker (children's worker) with the Pierce County welfare, listed as "partner".
The 1950 census image (read in the survey of Lotta Hegnauer's records): the sheet heading names the incorporated place Dash Point, and her line gives her name, age, birthplace and occupation.
Source 2
-
1950 Occupation
Supervisor social worker, Pierce County Welfare (government work).
Her own line of the 1950 census.
Source 2
-
1995 Residence
"Her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview", in the obituary of Adelaide Louise (Curtis) Hegnauer. The identification is probable, not proven (see Research Notes).
The obituary of Lotta Hegnauer's daughter-in-law names a Berenice Burger of Longview. The uncommon spelling Berenice and the tie to Lotta's family make it probable that she is this Berenice, but no other record places her at Longview.
Source 7
-
1998 Residence
Last residence in the Social Security Death Index (ZIP code 98371, Puyallup).
The Social Security Death Index gives her last residence; it is the place the family tree gives for her death.
Source 1
-
1998 Death
Social Security Death Index; last residence Puyallup, Pierce County. The place of death is not stated in any record read.
The Social Security Death Index gives Berenice E. Burger, born 21 Jun 1903, died 7 Jan 1998, with her last residence at Puyallup; the family tree gives the same date, and cites Find a Grave for her burial. No death certificate has been read, so no place is recorded; Puyallup is probable.
- proven
Hover or drag along the line, or select a point and use the arrow keys.
Places in this life
7 places, in order- 1 Nebraska, United States Birth 21 Jun 1903
- 2 Fullerton, Nance County Residence 1930 · Occupation 1930
- 3 Dash Point, Pierce County Residence 1950
- 4 Pierce County, Washington Occupation 1950
- 5 Longview, Cowlitz County Residence Apr 1995
- 6 Puyallup, Pierce County Residence Jan 1998
- 7 University Place, Pierce County Burial after 7 Jan 1998
Hollow markers are placed approximately, at the town, county or region.
Family
Records
Search the archive →Deaths and burials
- 21 Apr 1995 confirmed Obituary of Adelaide L. Hegnauer “Berenice Burger”, adoptive mother Longview, Cowlitz County Newspapers.com · O06288
The evidence 9 facts with their grades, 8 sources, and the research notes
Facts
| Fact | Date | Place | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 21 Jun 1903 | Nebraska, United States | proven | 1 , 2 , 3 |
| Residence | 1930 | Fullerton, Nance, Nebraska, United States | proven | 3 |
| Occupation | 1930 | Fullerton, Nance, Nebraska, United States | proven | 3 |
| Residence | 1950 | Dash Point, Pierce, Washington, United States | proven | 2 |
| Occupation | 1950 | Pierce County, Washington, United States | proven | 2 |
| Residence | Apr 1995 | Longview, Cowlitz, Washington, United States | proven | 7 |
| Residence | Jan 1998 | Puyallup, Pierce, Washington, United States | proven | 1 |
| Death | 7 Jan 1998 | proven | 1 , 8 | |
| Burial | after 7 Jan 1998 | University Place, Pierce, Washington, United States | proven | 6 , 8 |
Research notes
- Sources: Her 1950 census entry was read on the image in the survey of Lotta Hegnauer's records, and Adelaide Hegnauer's 1995 obituary on the newspaper page. The 1930 census entry is the one attached to her in the family tree (index; not re-read). Her birth and death dates come from the Social Security Death Index (read 27 Sep 2026); her burial rests on the family tree's citation of Find a Grave, which has not been viewed.
- Identity: The records are linked as one woman as follows. (1) In 1930 Berenice E., single, a teacher, is the daughter of Louis Burger at Fullerton, Nebraska (as attached in the family tree).3 (2) In 1950 Berenice E. Burger, 46, never married, born in Nebraska, heads the household at Dash Point, Washington, in which Lotta D. Hegnauer is listed.2 (3) Adelaide Hegnauer's 1995 obituary names Berenice Burger of Longview.7 (4) Find a Grave records Bernice E. Burger in New Tacoma Cemetery, as cited in the family tree.8 Links (1)–(2) rest on the name, the Nebraska birth and the occupation as a teacher before social work; (3) and (4) on the uncommon name and the Hegnauer connection. None of the links is proven by a record naming her parents or her later residence.
- Sex (corrected): The Ancestry tree had her as male; she was a daughter in 1930 and a woman ("F") in the 1950 census, and the tree was corrected.
- The household with Lotta D. Hegnauer: In April 1950 Lotta D. Hegnauer lived in Berenice's household, and the census gives her relationship to the head as "partner".2, 4 That is the census's own word. Enumerators of the period used it for an unrelated adult who shared a home with the head, and it does not by itself describe the nature of their relationship; it is recorded here as written. Neither woman was married to the other, and no such marriage could have been made in Washington before 2012. The Ancestry tree links them as "Friend". Whether they shared a home before or after 1950 has not been checked in Berenice's own directory entries.
- "Adoptive mother" (1995): The obituary's word is recorded as given.7 Adelaide's natural parents were Arthur Garfield Curtis and Hazel Lucile Cook, as her birth, Social Security and death records show (see her profile). Berenice's residence in 1995 (Longview directories; the 1993–2002 phone directories) has not been checked.
- Birth (corrected): 21 Jun 1903 (Social Security Death Index), which fits her age of 46 in April 1950; the family tree's 21 Jun 1904 was a year out.1, 2 The tree's birthplace, Fullerton, Nance County, is not in any record read (the Death Index gives none); the 1930 census entry (age and birthplace) has not been read.
- Death and burial: The Social Security Death Index gives 7 Jan 1998, with her last residence at Puyallup, as the family tree has it.1 The tree cites Find a Grave memorial 244808037 for her burial in New Tacoma Cemetery; the memorial has not been viewed.8 Her Social Security number was issued in Washington in 1956–1958. The obituary of 1995 placed her at Longview; by 1998 she was at Puyallup, near Tacoma, where she had worked. A lead: Ancestry's Washington Newspapers.com Stories and Events index has a row naming "Lotta Hegnauer" dated 9 Jan 1998 at Tacoma, two days after this date and 25 years after Lotta's death; it may be Berenice's obituary, naming Lotta (record 50082/4571285418, not opened). Her Washington death certificate (1998) should also be sought.
- This profile is part of the Hegnauer one-name study, as the friend and colleague of Lotta Donnell Hegnauer.
Working notes
- Female (1930 census 'Daughter'); head of household in 1950 with Lotta Donnell Hegnauer listed as 'Partner'; both county welfare social workers; both buried New Tacoma Cemetery. Not a marriage. The tree had her as male (error).
- Female (1930 census 'Daughter'); head of household in 1950 with Lotta Donnell Hegnauer listed as 'Partner'; both county welfare social workers; both buried New Tacoma Cemetery. Not a marriage. The tree had her as male (error).; named as 'her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview' in H0105's 1995 obituary; identification probable, not proven; no adoption record
- Old tree 165462681 @I252600768662@ "Bernice E Burger"; SSDI 3693/8108001: b. 21 Jun 1903, d. 7 Jan 1998 (Puyallup)
- SSDI: b. 21 Jun 1903
Sources
- 1
"U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014," database, Ancestry.com, Berenice E. Burger, born 21 June 1903; Social Security number issued in Washington, 1956–1958; last residence Puyallup, Pierce County, Washington (98371); died 7 January 1998 (index read 27 September 2026).
- 2
1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County, Washington, incorporated place Dash Point, E.D. 27-29, sheet 10, lines 28–29, dwelling 135: Berenice E. Burger [indexed "Berger"] (head, 46, never married, born Nebraska; supervisor social worker, Pierce County Welfare) and Lotta D. Hegnauer (59, divorced, born Indiana; social worker (children's worker), Pierce County Welfare); roll 2700; database with images, Ancestry.com. Also "United States, Census, 1950," FamilySearch.
- 3
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Fullerton, Nance County, Nebraska, E.D. 6, sheet 1A, household of Louis Burger (head, married; agent), with his wife Laura M. (married) and his daughter Berenice E. (single; teacher); FHL microfilm 2341023; database with images, Ancestry.com (as attached in the Hegnauer/Putt family tree; records 107519896, 107519911 and 107519905; ages, birthplaces and the image not read in this pass).
- 4
1950 U.S. Federal Census, Pierce County, Washington, E.D. 27-29, page 10, dwelling 135, Lotta D. Hegnauer ("Partner", 59, divorced, born Indiana; social worker, children's worker, Pierce County welfare, government worker) in the household of Berenice E. Burger [indexed "Berger"] (head, 46); roll 2700; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read). Also "United States, Census, 1950," FamilySearch (event place Dash Point). FamilySearch record 6X15-X8T9
- 5
"U.S., City Directories, 1822–1995," database with images, Ancestry.com, further index entries for Lotta D. Hegnauer (images not read): Minneapolis 1927 (record 977510116), 1929 (900571088), 1934 (988714273), 1938 (1018434102), 1940 (800697113), 1941 (989970624), 1942 (802715212); Tacoma 1947 (815748875), 1949 ("Mrs Lotta D, Dash Point, visitor", 912066082), 1951 (782302795), 1953 ("Mrs Lotta D, soc wkr", 844451266), 1954 (804432350), 1955 (756240943).
- 6
Find a Grave, memorial 244808061, Lotta D Hegnauer (1890–1973), New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, Pierce County, Washington, EUT Section; photograph of a flat granite marker, "LOTTA D. HEGNAUER / 1890 1973" (findagrave.com/memorial/244808061). Also indexed in "U.S., Find a Grave Index," Ancestry.com; "Find a Grave Index," FamilySearch FamilySearch record 6JPN-5GVQ; and "BillionGraves Index," FamilySearch. FamilySearch record Q2S4-B4ZL
- 7
"Adelaide L. Hegnauer," obituary, Longview Daily News (Longview, Washington), 21 April 1995, p. B2 ("News of Record"): Adelaide Louise Curtis Hegnauer, 74, of 2431 Kingfisher Lane, Kelso, died 19 April 1995 at St. John Medical Center; born 31 May 1920 in Montevideo, Minn., to Arthur and Hazel Curtis; had lived in the local area for 49 years; bookkeeper for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) until earlier that year; a member of the Church of the Risen Saviour; survived by three sons (Robert C. Hegnauer of Tacoma and two sons (living)), her adoptive mother, Berenice Burger of Longview, three sisters, Verna Potter of Montevideo, Dorothy Harbour of Maynard, Minn., and Inez Tallard of Milwaukie, Ore., 11 grandchildren and a great-grandchild; preceded in death by a sister, Madge Curtis, and a brother, Arthur Curtis; memorial service 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of the Risen Saviour, 1170 17th Ave., Longview; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/575671218). Indexed in "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index," Ancestry.com (under a garbled name, "Adelaide L Hegnauer Adelaide"). A clipping of it is shared in Ancestry member trees.
- 8
Find a Grave, memorial 244808037, Bernice E Burger, New Tacoma Cemetery, University Place, Pierce County, Washington (findagrave.com/memorial/244808037), as cited on her profile in the Hegnauer/Putt Ancestry tree (died 7 January 1998); not viewed in this pass.