AMANDA B. TUFTE

Amanda B. Tufte, 99 of Devils Lake, ND completed her earthly life’s journey on Friday, September 9, 2011 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Amanda will be held on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Jeff Nicla officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Graveside Services for Amanda will be at St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery, rural York, ND on Friday at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Richard Budd officiating. Casket Bearers for Amanda will be her grand nephews, Ben Tufte, Eric Tufte, Nick Duchscher, Jason Duchscher, Jim Watland and John Tufte. Reading the Scriptures will be Bonnie Duchscher; Special Tributes Erling Tufte and Angela Hewett. Amanda Bergliot, daughter of Asbjorn “A.E.” and Birgit (Tufto) Tufte was born April 11, 1912 at her parent’s home south of York, ND where she spent her childhood years with eight siblings. She attended the rural school called the “Tufte School”. During the depression years she assisted her parents at the farm. Amanda attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduating in 1941, and also attended Business College. She was employed for several years at the L.B.I. and at their summer camp, Mount Carmel. She entered a new field of service assisting in the organization of new congregations under the Evangelical Lutheran Church (now ELCA). Amanda did initial survey work to determine the need, and assisted in the start-up of several congregations in Northern California, Kitimat, British Columbia and Los Angeles. Later she was employed as a parish worker at Palo Alto and Corte Madera, California, Seattle, Washington, Oslo, Norway and Grand Forks, ND. During her 4 years in service at the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway, she enrolled in classes in the Norse language, weaving and the Norwegian folk art, Rosemaling. The latter became like a second career when she returned to the United States, conducting work-shops and classes and producing rosemaled items for others. Several items were featured in Prairie Patterns published by the North Dakota Council on the Arts for North Dakota’s Bicentennial, and also in her traveling art exhibit to major cities of North Dakota. The exhibit included a “kubbestol” made by her father. Sharing her interest in the Norse heritage continued also as she became the first woman President of the Hallinglag of America, member of the Sons of Norway, and doing translation work especially for the younger generation regarding family history and cultural interest. This included compiling and printing “Tufte Family Poetry and Prose”, “Letters of Longing” and “Glimpses of Grandma Birgit and Grandpa Asbjorn”. Use of a computer, replacing the type-writer and mimeograph, made the task quite a challenge since she learned the necessary skills when she was in her 90’s. Attending the Lutheran World Convention in Hannover, Germany, in 1952, not only provided an opportunity for a first visit to Europe but to get acquainted with numerous relatives in Norway. It also aroused interest in people and places around the globe. Her sister, Olivia, was often a travel companion, visiting most of the European countries, the Holy Land with additional visits in the Mediterranean area, northern part of Egypt, Liberia and Senegal in Western Africa, and the Canary Islands. Much of the United States and parts of Canada were also enjoyed. Special modes of travel included ships on the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Alaskan inner passage, a launch on the Sea of Galilee and the Norwegian fjords, camel ride to the Egyptian pyramids, dog sled in the Swiss Alps, and skis on the snowy slopes of Norway. Her commitment to the Christian faith, however, was always kept foremost. She served as Secretary of the California District ALCW and President of the Grand Forks Conference ALCW. In the local congregations she participated in Bible studies, including the extensive Bethel Bible study series, and served as leader for Circle studies as needed. In Devils Lake she was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She was baptized and confirmed at the rural St. Petri Church south of York, ND. Many special Scripture passages influenced Amanda’s life and a favorite Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”. Amanda is survived by her nieces and nephews: John Watland and his wife Joan, Detroit Lakes, MN, Janice and her husband Bob Helgeson, Maddock, ND, Carol Hooser, Spooner, Wisconsin, Sandra Maurer, LaQuinta, California, Dennis Tufte and his wife Colette, Devils Lake, ND, Erling Tufte and his wife Beth, Minneapolis, MN, Linda Hellerud, Bullhead City, AZ, Arlan Tufte, Upland, CA, Allan Peterson and his wife Mary, Rochester, MN, Beverly and her husband Al Nielsen, Horace, ND, Paul Tufte and his wife Karen, York, ND, Bonnie and her husband Carl Duchscher, Knox, ND, James Tufte and his wife Diane, York, Gary Tufte and his wife Tammy also of York; forty-one great nieces and great nephews and many great great nieces and great great nephews; sisters-in-law Fern Tufte, Rugby, ND and Agnes Tufte, Lakota, ND. Preceded in death by her parents; sisters Inga Tufte, Mable Watland, Ruda Peterson and Olivia Tufte; brothers Elmer, Thorlief, Adolph and Paul “Bennie” Tufte; niece Arlene Thompson.