Bertina Thorvig

Bertina Thorvig, of Stanley, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, at the Mountrail County Bethel Home, where she had been a resident for 4 1/2 years. Bertina was the loving wife of Bennie and mother to Beverly, Evonne and Curtis.

She was born in Crane Creek Township in Mountrail County March 30, 1914, to mother Berit Fuglen. Her stepfather, Gilbert Gilbertson, who immigrated to North Dakota from Valdres Valley in Norway, helped raise her. She grew up on her parents' farm in Purcell Township outside of Stanley, and attended the country school in Purcell, as well as school in Stanley. Bertina met her future husband, Bennie Thorvig, in 1931. They were married June 29, 1935, at Powers Lake. They lived on their family farm near Lostwood until Bennie's retirement. They moved to Everett, Wash., in the fall of 1967 and returned to Stanley in 1973. Bertina was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie, who died Aug. 14, 1979. Bertina continued to make her home in Stanley. Bertina was also preceded in death by her siblings Olaf Gilbertson, Martha Rogstad, Jennie Nelson, Gina Kuster Johnson and Bennie Gilbertson; and a son-in-law, LeRoy Piepkorn.

Bertina was a longtime member of First English Free Lutheran Church in Lostwood and was active in its organizations. She was a Sunday school teacher for several years and also acted as superintendent. She was a member of the Ladies' Aid, the former Book and Thimble Club, Homemakers Club and the Senior Citizens Club in Stanley. Bertina played an important role in helping her husband work the family farm. She was a devoted Christian. She enjoyed her family, the outdoors, gardening and growing flowers. She loved to cook and bake for her family. Whenever she made her fried chicken, lefse and krumkake, her family made it to the dinner table in record time to savor her cooking.

Last year, during the weekend of March 30, 2014, she enjoyed all the festivities to celebrate her 100th birthday. It was a special celebration because she was surrounded by all of her children, grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren who came to wish her a happy 100th birthday in person. Many other extended family members, friends and neighbors also joined in on her centennial celebration. Bertina is survived by: her children, Beverly (LeRoy) Neuenfeld, Shasta Lake, Calif., Evonne Piepkorn and Curtis Thorvig, both of Stanley; six grandchildren, Randy (Darlene) Neuenfeld, Yuba City, Calif., Londa (Terry) Hill, Aberdeen, Wash., Barbara (Grant) Coon, Redding, Calif., Craig (Jackie) Piepkorn, Mound, Minn., Lorie (Franck) Bouget, Santa Maria, Calif., and Clark (Kathy) Piepkorn, Grand Forks; 11 great-grandchildren, Jeremy (Jennifer) Neuenfeld, Amber (Travis) Gilliland, Chad Southwick, Kyllie Bouget, Michael Piepkorn, Christopher Bouget, Kelsey Piepkorn, Evan Hill, Grant Piepkorn, Tanner Piepkorn and Taylor Piepkorn; four great-great-grandchildren, Kathryn Neuenfeld, Jackson Neuenfeld, Masen Gilliland and Madelyn Gilliland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in Our Saviors Free Lutheran Church, Stanley.

Interment: Lostwood Cemetery, rural Stanley. Visitation: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, in Springan Funeral Home, Stanley.