Elk River – Bertha Ernst (formerly of Bismarck, ND) passed away on February 6, 2025, in her care home in Elk River, just 3 weeks after her 100th birthday celebration with family, friends and caretakers. A memorial service was held at the BeeHive Home on February 12, 2025.
Bertha was born Jan 16, 1925, in the Brightholme area of Saskatchewan, Canada, to Frederick and Anna (Bomersine) Sommerfeld, and became a naturalized citizen of the USA in 1948.
On Nov 10, 1946, she married Melvin Ernst and lived in Enderlin, ND until 1960, when they relocated to Thief River Falls, with their two sons. While in TRF, Bertha worked at JC Penney and she and Melvin were members of Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1976, after Melvin retired from the Soo Line, they moved to Marion Lake near Dent, until 1983, before returning to Bismarck, ND. In 2015, Bertha moved to Minnesota to be closer to family after the passing of Melvin in 2009.
She is survived by one son, Rodney (Carol) Ernst, Cedar Springs, MI; daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Bryce) Ernst, Mesa, AZ; two grandchildren, Taunya and Jenna; four great-grandchildren, Taylor, Skylar, Liam and Summer; and one great-great-grandson, Bryce.
Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents; a sister, Edna; a son, Bryce Ernst; and an infant son, Melvin Ernst Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND, which she was a long-time member of.
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