Kimberly A. "Kim" DeBerge

Kimberly A. "Kim" DeBerge (nee Pierce), baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Saturday, August 22, 2026. She was born February 19, 1961 in Richmond Heights, a daughter of Ronald J. and Dorothy Ann (nee Willis) Pierce. Kim grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri, where she attended elementary and junior high school before graduating from Kirkwood High School in 1979. Following graduation, she began what would become a remarkable 43-year career in the banking and mortgage industries. Over the course of her career, she worked in bank accounting, mortgage processing, and underwriting for several well-known St. Louis-area firms, including First National Bank of Clayton, Pulaski Bank, EverBank, and First State Bank of St. Charles, Mortgage. Her long career reflected the dedication, attention to detail, and commitment that she brought to so many aspects of her life. Because of her kind spirit, sweet disposition, and professionalism, she gained many friends and colleagues along the way. Later in life, Kim followed a spiritual path by being received into full communion with the Catholic Church while attending Queen of All Saints Church in Oakville. Missouri Kim was a woman of remarkable kindness and love, whose warmth and genuine care for others could be felt from the very first time you met her. She had a special way of making people feel welcome, valued, and important. Her thoughtful nature, kind spirit, and striking beauty made an impression on those fortunate enough to know her. Kim had a wonderful appreciation for the beautiful things in life. She loved fashion and cosmetics, enjoyed travel and adventure, yet found just as much happiness in life's simplest moments, such as a beautiful sunset, a quiet evening on the deck, lunch out with friends, or precious time spent with her children and grandchildren. She looked forward to family gatherings and holidays, treasuring the traditions and memories created with those she loved. Family was at the heart of Kim's life. Earlier in her life, she and her late husband Steven Schnieder, welcomed two children, Amanda and Jason, making their home in Oakville, Missouri before his untimely death in 2004. Kim embraced motherhood with the same love, warmth, and devotion that would later make her such a treasured grandmother. After several years on her own, fate would bring Kim and Ray together in early 2012. What began with that first connection, soon grew into a beautiful courtship filled with love, laughter, good times, adventure, and extensive travel. Together they discovered a shared joy in experiencing life, whether exploring someplace new or simply enjoying the comfort of being together. Adventure became an important part of the life Kim and Ray shared. She would often accompany Ray on many of his professional travels, giving them opportunities to experience beautiful places throughout the World. Together they also enjoyed personal travels both at home and abroad, returning often to their beloved Virgin Islands, all the while exploring many of America's other iconic destinations. Along the way, Kim embraced another adventure when they took up sailing. Together they became accomplished sailors, completing multiple certifications and enjoying the freedom and beauty of being on the water, from local lakes and coastal waters, to the Caribbean islands and beyond. Sailing combined so many of the things Kim loved: travel, adventure, beautiful surroundings, and most importantly, sharing those experiences with someone she loved so much. The possibilities for their next adventure seemed limited only by their collective imagination. Yet for all the remarkable places they traveled and experiences they shared, happiness didn't always require a distant destination. Some of her most meaningful moments were found much closer to home. Kim's marriage to Ray also brought a wonderful expansion of the family she treasured. Through their marriage, Kim welcomed three more children into her life-Aaron, Josh, and Sara-and four additional grandchildren, Olivia, Colin, Finley, and Fiona. Together with Amanda and Jason, and grandchildren Tyler, Lexie, and Nico, her blended family grew to include five children and seven grandchildren. Family was something Kim loved and cherished. Whether connected by birth or brought together through marriage, each became part of the larger family that filled her life with love, celebrations, holidays, laughter, and memories. Her children and grandchildren occupied a very special place in her heart, and time spent together was something she genuinely treasured. In her later years, Kim discovered another expression of her creative spirit through art. She took up drawing and painting, enjoyed craftwork, and created beautiful jewelry, often making pieces as gifts for others. It was a characteristic of Kim that something she truly enjoyed creating would become another way for her to bring happiness to someone else. In the last years of her life, Kim faced health challenges that tested her deeply and asked more of her than anyone should have to bear, but those challenges never defined her. Through every difficult season, her courage, resilience, and enduring love of life continued to shine. Her warmth, beauty, and generous spirit that had always been, remained undiminished. Her radiant smile, tenderness, and grace were unmistakable. She drew strength from the people she loved and from those moments that brought her joy, meeting each day with quiet determination and holding close the family, friendships, and memories that meant the most to her. Those who knew and loved Kim will remember not the challenges she faced, but the remarkable way she lived through them. They will remember her kindness and thoughtfulness, her adventurous spirit and creativity, her striking beauty, and the warmth of her smile. Most of all, they will remember how Kim made people feel-seen, welcomed, cherished, and more at ease simply because she was there. Her presence left a lasting impression, and her love will continue to live in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. Kim is survived by her beloved husband, Ray H. DeBerge of Wildwood, MO; her dear children, Amanda Bueltmann and husband Robert; Jason Schneider and wife Juli; along with the children she lovingly welcomed through her marriage to Ray, Aaron DeBerge and wife Jennifer , Joshua DeBerge, and Sara DeBerge Kelly; she is the proud grandmother to seven beloved grandchildren, Tyler Bueltmann, Lexie Bueltmann, Dominic “Nico” Schneider, Olivia DeBerge, Colin Kelly, Finley Kelly, and Fiona Kelly; her brother, Steven Pierce, and wife Debra; and her beloved niece, Abby Pierce, along with numerous extended family and many cherished friends. Services: Funeral service will be held at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Thursday, September 3, 2026, 1:00 p.m. Interment at Bellerive Gardens, Creve Coeur. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in honor of Kimberly DeBerge at Web Address: https://give.cholangiocarcinoma.org/fundraiser/7482835. Visitation Thursday 11 am - 1 p.m. prior to service. A Celebration of Life for Kimberly will be held at the Wildwood Pub & Grill, 17253 New College Ave., Wildwood, MO 63040 on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 5-9 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com. Arrangments by Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory.

Kimberly A. "Kim" DeBerge

February 19, 1961 - August 22, 2026