Margie Berndt
Margie L. Berndt, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, died Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Missouri Slope nursing home in Bismarck, ND.
Margie Lucille Erbe was born on October 11, 1932, at rural Bowdle, SD, to Pearl Estella (Carter) and Herman Frank Erbe, the youngest of 6 children. She attended rural school near Bowdle and graduated from Bowdle High School in 1950. She attended the Methodist church in Bowdle with her mom.
After high school, Margie moved to Aberdeen, working for Western Adjustment and Inspection for four years. While continuing her church attendance, she met and married Charles “Charlie” Berndt, also a member of the Methodist Church. They were married on April 8, 1953, and they raised five boys, who were also baptized and confirmed in faith. She later converted to the Catholic Church.
Spending her first married years as a housewife and mother, Margie began working at Control Data in 1970. In 1976, she went to work at K. O. Lee, until retiring in 1994, continuing to make her home in Aberdeen. She also enjoyed spending some time in those later years working part time at Loel Lust Chevrolet, greeting customers, answering the phone, and directing calls.
She was an active member of AA for many years, which helped her maintain her sobriety. There, she made many friends, and helped many others as an advocate and sponsor for the organization. Her faith in God was a driving factor throughout her life. Margie was fun, energetic, and always available for family and friends.
Margie developed dementia, and the disease slowly took her from us. She spent a few years in assisted living in Aberdeen, and moved to the nursing home in Bismarck in February, to be near her son Ron. She passed peacefully at 90 years old, on the morning of August 13, 2023. Her son Ron was by her side. She will be missed and remembered by many.
Survived by her sons: Richard (Lita) Berndt, Ronald (Lorie) Berndt, and Scott (Barb) Berndt; 6 grandchildren, as well as great- and great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding Margie in death: her parents: Herman and Pearl Erbe; husband: Charles “Charlie” Berndt; sons: Steven Berndt and Kenneth Berndt; grandson: Alexander Berndt; three brothers and two sisters.