Beatrice Aronson

H. Beatrice Aronson, 96 of Devils Lake, ND formerly of rural Crary, ND passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake surrounded by family and friends. Funeral Services for Beatrice will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Crary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Beatrice will be Richard Mahoney, Kenneth Hunt, Lynn Johnson, Terry Thompson, Art Rohr, Roger Perkuhn and Royal Dingman. Serving as Honorary Bearers will be Frank Hornstein, Alphonsus Wagner, all members of the Crary Birthday Club and all former faculty and students of the Crary School. Beatrice was born February 7, 1914 in Minnesota to Berndt and Hilma (Westerberg) Severtson. She and her parents came to a farm near Crary in 1918 when Beatrice was 4 years of age. She and her brother only spoke Norwegian when they entered school. She completed 8 years at the school in Crary. She then became a live-in housekeeper for a family in Devils Lake. Beatrice met her future husband, Melford, at a barn dance near Crary and they were married August 12, 1937 in Devils Lake. They lived with Melford’s parents before moving to their own farm near Crary in 1939 where she lived for 65 years until 2004 when she became a resident of the Good Samaritan Home in Devils Lake. Beatrice and Melford were blessed with 4 children: Myrle, Arnold, Beverly and Carol. She was a member of the Crary Lutheran Church and their Ladies Aid. When the church closed she became a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. In 1964 Beatrice became employed as a cook at the Crary School and spent the next 31 years doing so until the school closed in 1995 when she was 81 years of age. She always said “I’d still be there if it hadn’t closed.” She was proud to be known as “Grandma” by the students. Faculty and students were treated often with her incomparable caramel rolls, buns and other baked goodies. Beatrice lovingly tended her flowers and large garden along with raising chickens and helping milk cows. Many neighbors enjoyed getting cream, strawberries and raspberries from her. Family and friends rarely left her house without having some of her baked goods to take home with them. Over the years, many quilts, afghans and other crocheted items were given with love to her family and friends. She was happiest when she could share with people. She valued her many friends and treasured their visits. Beatrice had an exceptional amount of love and pride for her family. Grandchildren and great grandchildren held a very special place in her heart and she in their hearts. Beatrice will be greatly missed by her children: Myrle (Darlene) Aronson of Sarles, ND, Beverly Sager, Carol (Jerry) Johnson and daughter-in-law, Judy Aronson all of Devils Lake; Ten Grandchildren and Fifteen Great Grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Severtson also of Devils Lake as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melford in 1990; son, Arnold in 2003; son-in-law, Gene Sager in 2004; brother, Kenneth Severtson and sister, Thelma Severtson.