Eleanor Berndt | 1927 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Sep 16, 2023 | 7:35 AM / 188 views
Eleanor E. Berndt, age 96, of Watertown, SD, formerly of Herreid, SD, passed away on September 14, 2023 at Edgewood Memory Care in Watertown.
Eleanor was born on July 29, 1927 to Louie and Barbara (Seiler) Stellflug in Herreid, SD. She attended Herreid School and graduated valedictorian of her class in 1945. She was employed at the Campbell County Bank in Herreid during her senior year and continued working there following graduation.
Eleanor married Bernard Earl Berndt on January 20, 1947 and they continued living in Herreid while building a farming and dairy operation and raising their family of six children. They were married for 59 years before Bernie’s passing in 2006. She remained living in Herreid until 2018 and then relocated to Watertown to be near family.
Eleanor was a life-long member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she belonged to Altar Society and taught CCD classes. She enjoyed being part of the Rosary Makers group with other women from the church. Eleanor also took great pride in being a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary beginning in 1947 serving as treasurer for several years.
Eleanor was a devoted, selfless wife and mother who cared deeply for her family and always had the welfare of those she loved first and foremost in her mind and heart. She enjoyed growing plants and flowers, reading, and baking, also being an avid collector of recipes. With baked goods, coffee, and laughter, she had her own special way of welcoming family and visitors into her home. Always a good listener and showing unconditional love, quiet faith, patience and concern, she warmed the hearts and calmed the souls of those whose lives were touched by her. She never desired to be the center of attention and was satisfied to work in the background.
Eleanor was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy and made her beam even in her final days.
Eleanor is survived by her four daughters: Jacqueline (Hank) Martin of Austin, TX; Barbara (Terry) Fjeldheim of Watertown, SD; Beth (Robert) Risen of Eau Claire, WI; and Janet (Craig) Droog of Katy, TX; grandchildren: Scott (Leslie) Rudolph, Dawn (John) Adamczyk, Daniel Fjeldheim (Beth Knutson), Brent (Ashley) Fjeldheim, Eric (Jessie) Fjeldheim, Adam (Ashton) Fjeldheim, Briana (Patrick) Knauf, Kaitlyn (Matthew) Klomstad, Tyler (Morgan) Droog, and Madeline Droog and fiancé David Mora; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard; parents: Louie and Barbara Stellflug; sons: James and Robert; sisters: Veronica Damberger and Rita Stellflug; brothers: Clemens and Louis Stellflug; Brothers-in-law: Jacob, Julius, Otto, Lewis, Alvin, Adam and Labolt Berndt and sisters-in-law: Bertha, Alvina, Minnie, Edna, Lenore, Tillie and Verna.
Funeral services for Eleanor will be on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Herreid with Rev. Mark Axtmann officiating. Burial to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Friday, September 22 at 6:00 pm with a prayer service and rosary at 7:00 pm.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Scott Rudolph, Daniel, Brent, Eric, and Adam Fjeldheim, and Tyler Droog. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters and great-grandchildren.
The family feels sincerely blessed by the exceptional care and compassion extended to her while residing at Edgewood Memory Care. Memorials for Eleanor may be directed to Edgewood Memory Care, 420 9th St. SE, Watertown, SD 57201.