Barbara Jeanne Berlau

Mrs. Barbara Jeanne Berlau, 79, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, was born March 27, 1947, in Pittsburg, California. She was the oldest of eight children born to the late Francis and Virginia Strasser. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Francis Duke of Oroville, California.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Albert Berlau; her children, Yvonne Rentz (née Berlau) and Elizabeth “Dee Dee” Berlau; her son-in-law, Garrett Rentz; and her cherished granddaughters, Reagan Rentz and Braden Rentz. She is also survived by her siblings, Kathy Miller (Mike), Frank Strasser (Kathy), Mike Strasser (Sally), Steve Strasser (Hannah), Louie Strasser (Gen), and Louise Fragnoli. She had many nieces and nephews whom she adored. Family was everything to Barbara. 

Barbara spent part of her childhood traveling, as her father was a Major in the United States Army. During that time, the family was stationed in Japan, which sparked Barbara’s lifelong love of travel. 

Barbara met her husband, Albert, at the Fox Theatre in Turlock, California, where she was working as an usherette. They were married on June 8, 1968, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Turlock. The couple began their married life in Suisun City, California, while Albert was stationed at Travis Air Force Base. During that time, Barbara attended Solano Community College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree. The family spent time in Turlock again before eventually settling in Bakersfield, California, where they raised their daughters, Yvonne and Dee Dee.

 During her working years, Barbara was employed by the Solano County Probation Department as a group counselor and later by the Kern County Public School System as an assistant for the hearing impaired. While she valued her work, her greatest priority was always her family, especially her special-needs daughter, Dee Dee, to whom she devoted herself wholeheartedly. She found great joy in enriching Dee Dee’s life through Church, Special Olympics, ballroom dancing, and other community activities. 

Education was very important to Barbara, and after her children were grown, she returned to school to complete her four-year degree, building upon her earlier associate’s degree. At 56, she graduated from California State University, Bakersfield, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies. Everyone was proud of her accomplishment and her dedication to achieving this milestone. 

Always adventurous and ready for a new chapter, Barbara and her family moved to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in 2009, where she made her home for the rest of her years. She quickly embraced the community and made many lasting friendships. 

Barbara was a woman of strong faith. A devout Catholic, she made a pilgrimage in 2013 to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a meaningful journey in her life. She shared the love of Jesus Christ and instilled her faith in her family, which remained a guiding foundation in their lives. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother who treasured every moment with her granddaughters, Reagan and Braden. 

Barbara loved going to car shows and watching college football with her husband, Albert, and she enjoyed watching Dodgers baseball with her family. She was an amazing cook and talented seamstress with a beautiful, friendly spirit and generous heart. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends and never met a stranger. She was loved by so many and will be deeply missed. 

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service.