Elizabeth (Bette) Berg

Elizabeth (Bette) Berg (nee Ladwig) was born on December 14, 1929, in Arndt, ND, to Albert and Hedwig (Haas) Ladwig. She passed away at the age of 93 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, on August 9th, 2023. 

Elizabeth (Bette) Berg (nee Ladwig) was born on December 14, 1929, in Arndt, ND, to Albert and Hedwig (Haas) Ladwig. She passed away at the age of 93 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, on August 9th , 2023.

In 1946, Bette attended a football game in Starkweather with her best friend, Carole Berg, and was introduced to Carole’s brother, Monrad. They courted and married on January 2, 1948. Bette and Monrad lived and farmed in rural Starkweather for 62 years raising their family of four children and over 100 foster children. In 2009, they moved into Starkweather. Monrad passed in 2012 and Bette continued to live in Starkweather until October 2022, when she moved to Devils Lake.

Bette was an active farm wife, helping to drive equipment and making and hauling meals to the field during spring and harvest. The fruit cellar was always full of canned vegetables and fruits from her garden. Her flower beds were some of the most beautiful in the area; and on one occasion, a stranger driving by the farmstead drove in just to tour them and dubbed them the “Peace Gardens of the South”.

From the 1960’s to the 1990’s, Monrad and Bette opened their home to foster children needing refuge from troubled homes. Over the years they took in over 100 foster children, some who maintained contact with Bette until her death. In her “retirement”, Bette changed her focus from caring for youths in foster care to being a nanny to her last two little charges Kaitlin and Aidan.

Bette was multi-talented. She was an amazing cook and baker and for generations provided all sorts of baked goods for her family. “Bette’s Buns”, especially, were famous and she was often asked by family and community members to bake batches for special occasions. Her sewing skills were on display throughout the years as her children modeled her creations. Once they had graduated, she began knitting and crocheting afghans, baby clothing and doilies; but quilting became a passion. Every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have received a special quilt that was crafted specially for them; and many extended family members and friends have also received these beautiful gifts. Throughout the years, her sewing, woodworking, ceramic, and painting skills also contributed to the many crafts she created for her business “Prairie Petals & Gifts”.

She was a very active member of her church. She served on committees, she (and Monrad) provided janitorial services for many years, provided bread for communion, sewed banners for the altar and quilts for the needy, and most notably shared her singing skills. She had a glorious soprano voice and throughout the decades added her voice to the church choir as well as singing solos and in a women’s trio. After her move to Devils Lake, she joined the Silver Sensations and was so happy to continue sharing her gift—even at the age of 93!

Bette was welcomed to the arms of her Lord by her husband Monrad; parents Albert and Hedwig Ladwig; sister Eileen (Bill) Leach; brothers Stan (Lois) and Gerald Ladwig, son-in-law John Herrick; and granddaughter, Sheri Leidholt; brothers/sisters-in-law: Bjarne and Hazel Berg, Norma and Les Vanderpan, Haldor and Hazel Berg, Carole and Clayton Engelstad, David Anderson, Ann Ellenson, and Clarence Berg.

She is survived by her children and their families: Curtis (Kathy) Berg, grandson Chris (Robyn) Berg and their children Taylor and Isabel Berg, son-in-law Jim Leidholt; Cathy (Lyle) Johnson, grandchildren Matthew (Jessica) Herrick and their children Sophie, Sam, and Aidan Herrick, Shane (Kaycee) Herrick and their daughter Gracie; Monica (David) Anderson and their children Hayley Anderson, Elizabeth and Cooper Parks and Hayden Anderson; JoAnn (Kim) Burt, grandchildren Cameron Burt (Jacqui Rivers), Tami Burt and her children Dane and Max Franzen; and Russell Berg. Extended family members include sisters-in-law Connie Stiener and Lois Anderson, brother-in-law Ed Ellenson, many nieces and nephews, “adopted family” Karl & Jeanette Krogfoss, and many foster children.

Elizabeth was an amazing and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her gentle and generous soul has touched so many people over her lifetime and she will truly be missed.

Visitation for Elizabeth will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a time of Prayer and Remembrance at 6:00 p.m.  A Graveside Service will be on Saturday, August 19th at the Trinity-Bergen Cemetery, rural Starkweather, ND at 9:30 a.m. with a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather. Reverend Robert Buechler will officiate and family invites all family and friends to continue the celebration of Bette's life with food and fellowship in the church dining hall. 

The time of prayer and remembrance on Friday and the Celebration of Life on Saturday will be live-streamed via Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church Facebook page.