JUNICE V. BERG

JUNICE BERG

Junice Violet Berg, 94, of Finley/Mayville, ND, passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.

She was born to Oscar and Gina (Aarestad) Ueland on the family farm in Shelly Township, near Shelly, MN, on March 25th, 1930. Junice was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church, rural Halstad, MN. Her childhood years were spent playing with her siblings, attending Garfield Country school, and helping her mother, whom she adored. Times were tough in those days, and Junice would often recall wearing flour sack bloomers, picking gooseberries along the river, and looking forward to sharing a weekend meal at her grandparents’ home, just up the road. She loved to reminisce about those times, often summing it up with her trademark quote: “Those were the days….” It would soon become apparent that they were indelible to the formation of her character and represent her iconic Pioneer Spirit—a toughness that would be tested by a life framed in hardship, filled with love, fraught with tragedy, and finally redeemed through grace.

Junice married Ray Rude of Shelly, MN in 1950. Five years later they welcomed a son, Andy, into their Hillsboro, ND home; daughter, Connie, would arrive 3 yrs later and complete their family unit. Junice and Ray struggled both in their relationship and in their finances. Ultimately, they ended their union in divorce. Junice worked many jobs to support her family, including at a chicken processing plant, in the nursing home, and at a potato plant, where she met John Letnes. Junice’s good looks attracted him and the two were soon married. Each brought children into the newformed family arrangement, but the fairy tale ended too soon with a sudden heart attack. Not only did Junice lose her husband, but she also had to say goodbye to the children she had grown to care for as her own. But when a door closes, a window opens: Enter Finley’s most eligible bachelor, Andrew Berg, who had quietly been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to make Junice “his best girl.” As enthusiasts of the olde time music the rest of us refer to as polka, the pair were already good friends and had shared many a dance together. At his Pa’s encouragement, the sweethearts were soon married and built a home just West of his folks’ place in the Sherbrooke township. It was the only home daughter Connie would know for the next 40 years. The great amount of pride and attention to detail that Andrew put into his fields and Junice put into her appearance (especially her trademark updo) was reflected in the upkeep of all their possessions, especially 3 acres of immaculate lawn. You see, Junice could come across as critical to an unwitting stranger, but in return for always giving her best, she expected the best. That undaunted approach often made her a tough negotiator, able to wear down even the most experienced salesperson. She was an avid lover of dogs, rich foods, and was passionate about the color red, especially when it came to her prized geraniums. Her greatest accomplishment was marrying the love of her life and faithfully being by his side for the last 53 years. Her fondest memories were attending multi-day polka fests in their motorhome. Concerning an uncertain future, she regularly cited that she would “Trust in the Lord.” She would often say that her life would make a fascinating movie: after outliving three husbands, both children, and witnessing countless tragedies and miracles firsthand, one could agree. And just like a movie, her life closed better than it started and should give us all peace having had the opportunity to share glimpses of it with her.

Junice is survived by her sister Mary “Irene” Rodenborg of Bemidji, MN (formerly Hawley, MN); granddaughter Ariane Stern of Dallas, TX; grandson Calen (Calah) Rude of San Antonio, TX; great grandsons Gabriel, Nolan, Alexander, and Benjamin; and many loving relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her children, and siblings Orpha Hedrich and Vernon Ueland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts made to the Finley Cemetery or your local pet adoption center.

Visitation will be Friday, May 2, 2025 from 12:00 pm till 1:00 pm in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home, in Finley, ND followed by a Graveside Service at 1:00 pm.