Adrienne Rose Berg

Adrienne Rose Berg, age 81, of Belfield, North Dakota, formerly of Breckenridge, Minnesota, went peacefully to her heavenly home on October 18, 2023, under the care of her loving family and hospice.

A time for visitation will take place from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Robert Simons officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Breckenridge.

Adrienne was born on January 29, 1942, in Breckenridge to John and Natalie (Maszk) Curtin. The second oldest of five daughters, she enjoyed having a musical father and a wonderful homemaker as a mother. The family took regular trips to her grandparent’s farm near Warsaw, North Dakota, who were of Polish descent.

After her father's passing at age 15, Adrienne took a job as a kitchen aide at the nursing home in Breckenridge to help support the family. She desired to help her mom, who also worked there. Another interesting job she held was at the drive-in truck stop, where she was a waitress on roller skates. In high school, Adrienne volunteered as a librarian and was known to be very good at math. Here, she was given the nickname "Angel," presumably due to her kind and sweet demeanor.

In 1965, Adrienne was united in marriage to Merlin Berg of Mooreton, North Dakota. They lived at the Berg family farm and also in northern Minnesota before settling in Wyndmere, North Dakota. Together, they had one son, Gregory, and three daughters, Kristine, Rebecca, and Michelle.

In this small community, Adrienne enjoyed sharing her homemaking skills with the Christian Women's Group, opening her home. This is where she met lifelong friends, which included one of her very best friends, Joan Lillestol. Adrienne also taught Sunday School, had vegetable and flower gardens, and enjoyed cooking and baking. But most of all, she loved being a Mom, and making special memories with her children. Every Sunday Adrienne would drive to Breckenridge with her children to see “Grandma Curtin”. 

In 1990, the family moved back to the Berg family farm where Adrienne enjoyed a larger garden, endured many remodeling projects, cared for cats and dogs, and enjoyed being in the shop with her car racing, derby car smashing, mechanical family. The family became members of the Galchutt Lutheran Church.

Later Adrienne moved to Valley City, North Dakota where she spent 16 years, held two part-time jobs, made friends, went on outings with the independent living group, and was on a bowling league. She enjoyed the annual 4th of July reunions at her sister and brother-in-law's cabin at Strawberry Lake, Ruso, North Dakota very much. She looked forward to visits from her family where she often greeted them at the door and had a sloppy joe supper awaiting them. Mom enjoyed riding the bus to meet up with family in Fargo and travelling to Wahpeton for weekends, birthdays and holidays. We were all excited and sang, "Grandma Berg is coming to town!"

In 2011, Adrienne retired and moved back to her hometown to be closer to her family, especially her 14 grandchildren, whom she loved very much.

At her apartment in York Manor in Breckenridge, you could hear her singing on any given day, to which her neighbors would say, "We love your singing!”

Adrienne was known for being a jokester. She was high-spirited and silly, making everyone laugh. Her daughter often told her that she should have been a comedian.

Adrienne loved having a senior companion, housekeeper, nurses, and anyone who stopped by to chat.

Together is where Adrienne wanted to be, spending time at the park, zoo, carousel, parades, picnics, parties, and church events. Grandma always remembered everyone's birthdays and anniversaries and made these and all holidays so special. In 2019, Adrienne moved to Twin Town Villa assisted living, where she enjoyed making new friends and having old familiar ones. She enjoyed interacting with staff, especially her niece and daughter, who worked there.

In 2021, Adrienne moved to St. Francis Home to recover from two recent hospital stays. While there, she quickly became a favorite of the residents and staff, who were uplifted by her kindness and joyful spirit. She enjoyed getting back to being active, walking and riding the exercise bike, going on outings, and watching the birds while visiting with family. You could also find her coloring, playing games and cards or watching movies on the Hallmark channel. Adrienne’s daughters oftentimes brought bags of snacks for their mom so she could keep some goodies in her room. A day or two later when they came back to visit, the snacks were all gone! Mom had gone around the whole nursing home and passed out treats to everyone! That is just how sweet and thoughtful she was.

In February of this year, Adrienne moved to Belfield to live with her daughter, Rebecca, and family. While doctoring in Dickinson and Bismarck, Adrienne spent her final months at home together with family and attending the New Life Pentecostal Church in Dickinson. It was here that her faith was strengthened, and she made the decision to be baptized in Jesus' name. At church, she enjoyed singing, preaching, meeting new friends, and being called “Grandma” by the little ones to whom she gave candy mints.

Mom liked to travel and was able to attend the ND UPC Church Camp, District Rallies, and watch her grandsons in statewide Bible quizzing meets. Time was spent touring the countryside and the beautiful views of Medora, North Dakota.

At home, she loved to help her daughter, enjoyed Bible and prayer time, listening to music, and being together. Mom was also able to stay for a few weeks in Wahpeton, being cared for by her daughter, Michelle, and her family, along with more family being close by.

Our #1 Mom, #1 Grandma, and #1 Great-Grandma (as she often referred to herself) will lovingly be remembered for the enthusiasm she shared daily with others, her zest for life, and her positive outlook. The kind and caring ways she showed her love will never be forgotten in this life or the next.

Adrienne is survived by her four children, Gregory John Berg of Hankinson, Kristine Gail Walden of rural Wahpeton, Rebecca Ann (Raul) Portales of Belfield, and Michelle Elizabeth (Paul) Luna of Wahpeton; 13 grandchildren: Robert, Amy, and Ashlyn Bladow; Damon Doss; Dylan, Dustin, David, Darron, and Dalton Portales; Aaliyah Berg; and Austin, Aydin, and Addison Luna; two great-grandchildren, Jaramiah Smith and Ryker Daniel Portales; and her sisters: Marie Wiertzema of Breckenridge, Karole Witty of Minot, Jeanette (Bill) Hemsing of Wahpeton, and Darlene (Robin) Orvik of Rapid City, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Natalie Curtin; an Angel Baby grandchild; her grandson, Daniel Portales; and brothers-in-law, Wayne Witty and Neal Wiertzema.