EDNA BERNDT Obituary

EDNA BERNDT Sleepy Eye, MN: Funeral services for Edna Berndt, 100, longtime resident of St. James MN, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at First Baptist Church in St. James, MN, with burial in Harrison Township Cemetery near Swea City, IA. Visitation will be from 12:30-1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in St. James, MN. Edna passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center in Sleepy Eye, MN. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements. Edna (Ditsworth) Berndt was born June 14, 1924, in Granada, MN, the daughter of Lawrence and Grace (Bone) Ditsworth. As a young girl, the family moved to a farm near St. James, MN, where Edna attended school and graduated from St. James High School. Following her graduation, Edna went on to further her education by attending cosmetology school in Mankato. On September 18, 1943, Edna was united in marriage to Wilbert Berndt at her parent's farm near St. James, MN. Together the couple made their home on farms in southern Minnesota for several decades. Edna then resided in the city of St. James for fifty years before transitioning to the Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center in 2023. Edna worked on farms for much of her life. She also clerked at different stores in Fairmont and later Saint James. She especially enjoyed dressing up for Crazy Days. Edna was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in St. James and served as treasurer for a number of years. In her spare time, Edna enjoyed sewing, entertaining, and helping other people. She was a one-woman factory, quilting and embroidering many blankets, pillows and pictures. Edna combined frugality and generosity to always have resources for those in need. Her friendly, outgoing nature served her well. She never met a stranger, only a friend she hadn't gotten to know yet! Left to cherish her memory are her nieces, Cindy Bickel and Sheila Pepper; nephews, Larry Bickel and James Bickel; as well as several great and great-great grandnephews and nieces. Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Grace Ditsworth; husband, Wilbert Berndt; sister, Eva Bickel; brother, Walter Ditsworth; nephew, Kenneth Bickel; grandnephew, Jacob Bickel; as well as many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Edna's family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Sleepy Eye Rehabilitation Center and Allina Hospice for their welcome comfort to Edna in her final days. Also, Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont has provided exemplary service, and we thank them as well. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net