Arthur Eli BERKENES

BERKENES, PEARSON, ELIASON, ASKELAND, HAALAND, HUNTLEY, WOODARD, DELL, VEECK, FRENCH, SCHULTES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:48

December 31, 1922 ---- August 19, 2017

Arthur Eli Berkenes, the son of Peter and Caroline (Pearson) Berkenes, was born December 31, 1922, in Kinsman, Illinois. He attended Holmes Country School before graduating from Clarion High School and began farming with his father. In 1943, Art and his father moved to a farm southwest of Kanawha. On December 30, 1944, Art was united in marriage to Helen Johanna Eliason at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They made their home on the farm southwest of Kanawha until 1972.

In 1972, Art and Johanna purchased a farm northeast of Kanawha, living and farming there until 1980 when they moved to Corydon and farmed in the area until December of 1985. At this time, they retired and moved to Eagle Grove where they lived until 2013. In August 2013, they moved to The Meadows in Clarion.

After retiring in 1984, Art became well-known for his museum quality scale models constructed from wood. Most of these were re-creations of favorite landmarks from his childhood. He spent countless hours down in his basement constructing these replicas and capped off this remarkable hobby by spending three years building a scale model of the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines, finishing this amazing project at age 87. This would turn out to be Art's final project.

Art served as the financial officer for St. John's Lutheran Church near Kanawha, Wright County ASC Committeeman for Boone Township in Wright County, and was a board member of the Kanawha Co-op Elevator. He also served on the Wayne County Museum Board while living in Corydon and was a member of Rotary Club. Art was a member of the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove.

Art passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond at the age of 94 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gladys Askeland and Pearl Haaland; brothers, Gaylord Berkenes and Lester Berkenes and great granddaughter, Hailey Huntley. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Johanna Berkenes of Clarion; daughter, Mary Huntley (Jay) of Goldfield; sons, David Berkenes (Debby) of Granger, IN and Robert Berkenes (Joyce) of Altoona; grandchildren: Les Huntley (Tonjala), Thomas Huntley (Deanna), Michelle Huntley Woodard (Brian), Melanie Berkenes Dell (Jason), Alison Berkenes Veeck, Holly Berkenes French (Damien), Tiffany Berkenes (Ryan), Cory Berkenes (Crystal); and great grandchildren: Nathan Huntley (Olivia), Mikaela Huntley Schultes (Ryan), Hannah Huntley, Preston Huntley, Victoria Huntley, Nicholas Huntley, Reid Huntley, Jayden Woodard, Christopher Dell, Caroline Dell, Alayna Veeck, Adrian Veeck, Cameron Veeck, Dawson French, Lilah French, Elsie Berkenes and Emerson Berkenes.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017, at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove with Rev. Marvin Siems officiating. Burial will be in Norway Township Cemetery near Kanawha. Visitation is Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

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