Goodridge – Allan Berndt, age 82, of Goodridge, died Friday, August 4, 2023 at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.
Allan Franklin Berndt was born June 11, 1941 at Erie, ND, the son of Ervin Franklin and Mae Clara (Krueger) Berndt. He grew up and attended school at Erie, and then attended NDSU in Fargo.
In 1963 Allan was married to Phyllis Jean Galde. One daughter, Angela Jo, was born to them. They later divorced.
During and following his time at college, Allan farmed on the family farm. In 1968, he and his brothers bought farmland in the Goodridge area of Minnesota.
On November 29, 1969, Allan was united in marriage to Jean Marie Wilkens in Grygla. Together they had two children, Craig Allan and Jamie Jean. They lived and farmed near Goodridge for 35 years. They later became snowbirds, spending many winters in Mesa, Arizona, and their summers in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Allan loved to farm. In the mid 1960s he became a licensed private pilot. He would fly back and forth between North Dakota and Minnesota during the farming season. In the late 1970s he and another partner built and operated The Trapper & Trader Steakhouse and Bar in Goodridge. He was a member of the Masons and loved listening to LOUD country and rock & roll music, and dancing with Jean. He enjoyed watching cooking shows and other interesting topics on PBS. He loved eating ice cream, Thai food, and was a gourmet cook and pie crust maker. Allan loved to ride his Harley and enjoyed his fast cars – including a 1976 Corvette, an Iroc Camaro and a Thunderbird Convertible. He loved traveling with Jean, taking drives in the country so he could enjoy the scenery. One of his favorite activities was exercising, and he would challenge his family to planking competitions – even in his 80s. Above all, he was a proud Papa!
He is survived by his wife Jean two daughters, Angela (Mike) Koloski, Lakeville, Jamie (Craig) Riendeau, Grand Rapids; his grandchildren Alexis (Derek) Wypyszynski, Michael (Lexy) Koloski, Alyssa (Travis) Christensen, Hannah (Kam) Meehan, Nick Friesen, Matthew Friesen, Beckett Riendeau, Baylor Riendeau, Quinn Riendeau; a great-granddaughter, Blair Wypyszynski; three sisters, Marlene Young, Connie Schroeder, Mary (James) Eggers; and many nieces and nephews.
Allan was preceded in death by his parents; his son Craig; and two brothers, Wayne & Wendell.
Allan never liked to say goodbye, instead, he would always part with his favorite saying, “See you ‘round the mulberry bush”.
Funeral Service will be Friday, August 25, 2023 at 3 p.m., at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND, with visitation held one hour prior to his service.
Final resting place, Goodridge Community Cemetery, Goodridge, at a later date.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center, westfuneralhome.com.
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