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In Memoriam
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In Memoriam Bernice Elizabeth Ault Bernhoft
Bernice E. “Bunny”
Bernhoft, 95, of Cavalier, ND died on Sunday, December 30, 2007, at
the Wedgewood Manor, Cavalier, ND. Clergy: Rev. John Werth.
In Memoriam Otto Lawrence Bernhoft
Matthew 25:21 "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Otto Lawrence Bernhoft was born in Hallson, North Dakota, on November 11, 1915, the 13th of 15 children of Icelandic immigrant farmers. He attended Hensel High School and Mayville State Teachers' College. After his first year of teaching at Harvey High School, Otto married Irene Viola Ralston on June 13, 1941. He then served as Superintendent of Schools at Thompson, North Dakota. After one year of teaching and coaching at Thompson, he was drafted into the US Army and became a non-commissioned officer (staff sergeant) instructor in artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Camp Polk, Louisiana; and other locations. After WWII, Otto began a 40 year career in teaching and administration in the Fargo Public School System, completing his Master's Degree at North Dakota State University. He taught chemistry at Central High School in Fargo, functioned in the roles of Dean of Boys, Vice-Principal, and Principal at Central High School and South High Schools, and as Assistant Superintendent, Director of Personnel. He retired in 1980 as Principal at McKinley Elementary School. His students will remember Otto's favorite aphorism: "There is only one way to coast, and that's downhill" as this statement reflected his belief in hard work. Forty years of students and teachers benefited from Otto's high standards, clarity in teaching and leadership, and excellence in administration, tempered by kindness. Otto was instrumental in lobbying for and securing retirement benefits for the North Dakota retired teachers and often filled leadership roles in organizations such as The Gideons, the Circle K, the First Lutheran Intercessors, and the Icelandic Klub. He was a Phi Delta Kappa Emeritus member and in 1984, received the Mayville State University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. In 1984, he was inducted into Who's Who in North Dakota. In 1988, 1991, and 1992, he was awarded the AARP Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Community Service. In 1989, Otto was the North Dakota State Retired Teachers Association President and in 1990, he received the organization's Golden Apple Award. Otto and Irene Bernhoft had four children, Larry, a Northern Minnesota wildlife biologist who dies from cancer in 1982, leaving his wife Pat and two daughters, Kari and Krista; Dr. Franklin Bernhoft, a psychologist in Lodi, California, and his wife Dorothy, his son Brady, and two daughters Kimberly and Heather; Dr. Robin Bernhoft of Ojai, California, a surgeon and environmental physician, his wife, Alison, three sons, Iain, Andrew and Evan, and three daughters, Fiona, Deirdre, and Sheila; and Dr. Ruth Hansten of Port Ludlow, Washington, an RN and hospital consultant, with her husband Philip and two sons, Matthew and Kirk. Otto died November 28, 2007 at Elim Care Center, Fargo, North Dakota. Otto was preceded in death by his wife, Irene in June of 2007, and his son, Larry. Otto's three remaining children, thirteen grandchildren and five great grand children celebrate Otto's life and legacy of honest and integrity. Funeral service will be held at First Lutheran Church on December 11, 2007, in Fargo, North Dakota. Otto will be buried at the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, North Dakota.
Örn Guido Bernhoft
Örn Guido Bernhoft was born on April 23, 1930. Örn was the oldest child of Guido and Johanna Bernhoft. Örn was married on 20 January, 1961 to Svava Johanna Petursdóttir . Örn studied Electrical Engineering in Munich, West Germany. He worked for a long time for the City of Reykjavik drawing and planning electricity in Reykjavik and also the country. In the years around 1982, he started to work at H. Olafsson and Bernhoft, his father and cousin´s Company. After his father died the Company was split between Olafur Haukur, a cousin and Örn. When Örn became ill, his son Sigurdur and Svava kept working the Company. The name of the firm is H.O.B. Vin. He passed away in his sleep on Monday October 22, 2007. Örn Bernhoft is survived by his wife Svava and their son Sigurdur Örn, and three grandchildren, Petur Mar, Sigridur Kristin, and Svava Ros.The funeral for Örn Guido Bernhoft was held on November 1, 2007 at the Domkirkjan in Reykjavik. The church is next to the house his grandfather Wilhelm Georg Thedor Bernhoft had his Dental and Doctor Practice. Örn's funeral service was very beautiful with great psalms and Arias from several operas. One of Iceland´s best Tenor and an all male choir sang.
Irene Viola Ralston Bernhoft August 20, 1917 - June 19, 2007 
Irene Viola Ralston was born August 20,
1917 in Crystal, North Dakota, the daughter of Frank and Ruth
(Coker) Ralston, and granddaughter of pioneer homesteaders. She grew
up on a farm in Pembina County.
Irene graduated from Hensel High School, obtained an AA Degree from Mayville State College and taught English in Brockert, ND, until she married Otto Bernhoft on June 13, 1941. during World War II, she and Otto lived on various military bases in the South, where Otto instructed field artillery gunners. After the war, they moved to Fargo, ND, when Otto took a job teaching Chemistry at Fargo Central High School. He was later Principal of Central and South High Schools, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Principal of McKinley Elementary School. Irene was a devoted wife and mother. She loved the flow of well-written prose and poetry, watching videos of her grandchildren in action (until her vision went) and was very active in First Lutheran Church. She had a delightful sense of humor, was an avid painter of watercolors, did a hilarious impression of Eleanor Roosevelt, and was quick with a joke or a word of encouragement. Her response to nastiness invariably was to say "I'm sure he meant well." She was greatly loved by many friends and family and her cooking efforts for the First Lutheran Ladies' Aid were greatly appreciated by two generations of parishioners. Irene and Otto had four children, Larry, of Baudette, MN, a wildlife biologist who died of cancer in 1982, leaving his widow, Pat and two daughters, Kari and Krista; Dr. Frank of Lodi, CA, a psychologist, his wife, Dorothy, son, Brady and two daughters, Kimberly and Heather; Dr. Robin of Ojai, CA, a surgeon and environmental physician, his wife, Allison, three sons, Iain, Andrew, and Evan, and three daughters, Fiona, Deirdre and Sheila; and Dr. Ruth Hansten of Port Ludlow, WA, author and business woman, with her husband Phil, and two sons, Matthew and Kirk. In the last five years, with failing health, Otto and Irene lived first at Riverview, then Elim Nursing Home, where Otto still resides. Irene was preceded in death by her parents; two siblings; and her son Larry. Irene is survived by her husband, Otto; her three remaining children; thirteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Irene is buried at the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.
In Memoriam
John passed away on Friday morning, March 16, 2007 at the Daniel Freeman Emergency Hospital in Marina Del Rey due to pulminary failure. John worked as a Welfare Administrator for Los Angeles County, retiring in 1986. John and his wife Doris loved to travel the world together. John is survived by his wife Doris, and his daughters Cyd and Elizabeth and three grandsons, Mark, Adam, and Aaron.
In Memoriam Aunt Josie North Dakota, Pembina County. She was the eleventh child of fifteen children born to Edward Larus Adolph Bernhoft and Sigurbjorg Sophia Olafsdottir Brynjolfsson. She passed away on Saturday, November 06, 2004. Josie grew up in the Akra area along with her 14 other siblings. She married the love of her life, Winfield (Winn) Walker on December 31, 1940. Josie and Winn were blessed with 3 children, Johanna, Janet, and Jane. They lived in Walnut, California until their deaths. Winn preceded his wife in death on March 16, 1996. In Memoriam Mabel grew up in the Akra area along with her 14 other siblings. She met and married Magnus William (Bill) Magnusson in Hallock, Minnesota on May 01, 1940. Mabel had 4 children, William, George, Janice and Phyllis. George was given up for adoption at birth and would reunite with his mother before she passed away. George's adopted named was Flamer. William died at birth. Janice preceded her mother in death on May 06, 1987. Mabel and Bill farmed just East of Hensel, North Dakota. Their farm was across the highway from her sister Runa and her husband Wilfred's farm. They farmed there for many years and when it was time to retire in 1982, they moved to Cavalier, North Dakota. While in Cavalier, Mabel worked as a waitress, and worked at the Jack and Jill Market. She also worked at Sally's Shop. Her husband Bill passed away on December 15, 1989. Mabel continued to live in the home in Cavalier until about 2003, when the house was sold. She lived at Wedgewood Manor until her death on July 04, 2004. Aunt Mabel was loved dearly by her family and her nieces and nephews. Wilhelm Edward Bernhoft
Bill during his tour of duty in Korea as a U.S. Marine Corp Sergeant WILHELM E. "BILL" BERNHOFT A longtime resident of Santa Monica, California, Bill was born He married Joan Kenmore in 1956. They had been friends since high school. We can thank Roddy, Joan's brother, for playing matchmaker. Roddy and Bill were the best of friends growing up and continued to be extremely close. |
John
William MacDonald was born on October 1, 1927 in Machiasport, Maine
to Rev. and Mrs. George R. MacDonald. John graduated from the
University of Oregon in 1951 and remained an avid Duck fan until his
death.
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