ELLEN MARIE PERKINS

ELLEN M. PERKINS

Ellen Marie Perkins, 89, of Grove, Oklahoma passed away March 2, 2025, in Riverside, California. She was born on December 19, 1935, in Cooperstown, North Dakota, to Albert and Betsy (Vigesaa) Berge. Raised on the Berge family farm, Ellen graduated from Oak Grover High School in Fargo, North Dakota.

Ellen had a long and fulfilling career as a teacher, dedicating over twenty years to Maple Elementary School within the Fontana Unified School District in California. She earned a bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic University, California, and was passionate about education. Above all, Ellen cherished time spent with her family, often cooking and caring for their needs.

Ellen’s ancestry traces back to the early settlers of Cooperstown, with her father crossing the Atlantic from Norway to the United States aboard the Lusitania.

Ellen is survived by her beloved husband of over 44 years, Fred L Perkins. Together, they enjoyed their home on Gran Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, for the past 30 years. She is also survived by her son, Jon (Jenon) Reise; daughters Kari (Mike) Vance and Gena McClure; grandchildren Candice Hare, Kristi (Brian) Tam and Jay Vance. Great grandchildren Julieanne Hare, Bryson Tam, and Rylee Tam. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and son Paul (Martha) Reise and grandson Lance McClure.

When Fred met Ellen in 1980, she became the proud mother to Fred’s children; Tom (Razelle) Perkins, and Kathy (Richard)Seidman) Perkins. Grandchildren Thomas (Jamie) Logan Perkins, William (Clarissa) Perkins, Samuel and Joseph Seidman and great-grandchildren; Gabriella and Josephine.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Cooperstown, North Dakota, with interment immediately following at Westley Cemetery.