Martha "Mollie" BERGE 1878-1973

BERGE, ENOCKSON, TONDERUM

Posted By: Ruth Tower (email)
Date: 4/5/2022 at 09:01:30

Martha Malene Berge, known to all who knew her as "Mollie Berge", was born in Sola, Norway, Feb. 12, 1878, the daughter of Enock and Bertha Enockson. She was baptized in Norway and later confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She, together with her parents, brother and sister, immigrated to the United States in 1890 when she was 12 years of age.

The Enockson family settled in a farming community near Ottawa, Illinois. She was united in marriage with Thomas H. Berge in 1899 at Ottawa, and lived on farms in Illinois until they moved to Bode in 1903.

They rented a farm northeast of Bode for seven years and in 1910 purchased the home farm and lived there until 1939 when they retired and moved into Bode, where she lived until Jan. 17, 1966.

She then moved to Prairie View Apartments in Garner and lived there until she became ill in July of 1966. Since such time she was a patient at Concord Manor in Garner until her death on March 7, 1973, at the age of 95 years and 23 days.

Survivors include five children: Thelma, Mrs. S.O. Tonderum, Humboldt, Harold, Bode, Ernest, Aurelia, Bernt, Garner, and Earl, Fort Dodge. She also leaves 16 grandchidren, 31 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren, and one brother, Enock, Enockson, Ottawa, Ill.

Her husband Thomas H. Berge, died Oct. 15, 1947, and a grandson, Tom, and a granddaughter, Sylva, also preceded her in death.

Mollie has been a long time member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Bode and was active in the Ladies Aid until she moved to Garner.

Funder services were held Saturday afternoon, March 10, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Clergymen officiating were Pastor Palmer Loken of Bode and Pastor L.G. Leonard of Garner.

Casket bearers were Alan Berge, Dr. Richard D. Berge, Dr. Donald C. Berge, James D. Champion, Harlan M. Berge and Ordean C. Tonderum.

Bernt C. Berge was the soloist and the conregation sang a hymn accompanied by Mrs. David Engle, organist. Interment was in St. Olaf Cemetery in Bode. Group V of ALCW served the many relations and friends after in committal services.