Bernice Kjorvestad

Bernice M. Kjorvestad, 89, Thompson, ND, died Tuesday, May 31, 2016 in Luther Memorial Home of Mayville, ND. Bernice Mae Kjorvestad was born on July 20, 1926 to Olaf and Gunda (Tweten) Lebacken in Grand Forks, ND. She grew up in rural Reynolds, attending Americus 23 and Reynolds High School. She attended Aaker’s Business College and was employed at the Grand Forks Herald before her marriage to Leonard Kjorvestad on February 16, 1946, in Reynolds, ND. She had two children: Sharon and Dave. They lived on a farm in rural Thompson where she helped with the farming. She was employed at Norby’s Department Store as a buyer from 1965 to 1984 when they closed, then she was employed at Special Occasions as assistant manager from 1986 until her retirement. She was a faithful member of East Walle Lutheran Church and WELCA where she was active in circle, bible studies, quilting and organizing various functions and in numerous other activities such as a member of a neighborhood birthday club. She loved spending time with her family and her dear friends. She loved to cook and bake and was most comfortable in the kitchen making the best baked beans, chocolate chip cookies, waffles, brownies and coconut cream pies to name a few, as well as yard work on the farm where she lived 25 years after Leonard died October 3, 1981. Besides the farm, she also lived in a twin home in Grand Forks and Parkwood Place, before enjoying her last few months at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Roger) Gustafson, Thompson, ND; two grandsons: Ryan (Rachelle) Gustafson and their children Mikayla and Travis, Grand Forks, and Derek (Natalie) Gustafson and their children Landon, Annika and Avery, Coleraine, MN. She is also survived by her brother Carrol (Isabel) Lebacken, Grand Forks, and special nephew Bob Lebacken (Jackie Hanson), Andi and Alex and special niece Ruth (Robert) Turner and their 3 children: Anthony (Jakarta), Natalie (Jonathon Walters) and Sarah. She also is survived by three sisters-in-law: Gloria Anderson, Grand Forks, Aline Bell, San Jose, CA and Doloris Slominski, Florence, AZ along with several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Dave, five brothers-in-law: Gilmore and Odin Kjorvestad, Arnold Anderson, Ken Bell, and Danny Slominski. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Luther Memorial Home, Red River Valley Hospice or a charity of your own choosing. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, June 3, 2016 in East Walle Lutheran Church of rural Thompson, ND.Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in East Walle Lutheran Cemetery.