Helen Mae (Hakanson) Berg, 85, died Sunday, September 29, 2013 surrounded by her daughters in Gilbert, Arizona under hospice care.  A memorial service will be held at Viking Lutheran Church, rural Maddock, ND on October 20th at 2:00 p.m.. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

Helen was born February 9, 1928 to Hjalmer and Mabel (Nelson) Hakanson in Arne township.  She grew up in Maddock attending Quarve School and BCATS graduating in 1945.  She attended Minot State Teachers College and taught school in Bremen, ND.  She married Eldon Pranke, to which four children were born. On February 19, 1966,  Helen married Rolf Berg at Viking Lutheran Church in rural Maddock. They made their home on their farm until Rolf's retirement, when they moved to Maddock.

Helen was a lifelong member of Viking Lutheran Church, served offices in WELCA, the church council, and the Eastern ND District Synod of ELCA as a committee member.  She was VP and President of the ND Soil Conservation District Auxiliary and attended several national conventions over the years.  An active member of the Sons of Norway increased her love of their many travels to Norway/Sweden.

Helen's other interests included: restoring the cook shanty or "House of Memories",  preserving antique heirlooms, enjoying the find of a special collectible, cooking fudge and Scandinavian cookies at Christmas for her family, gardening and supporting her favorite sports teams: Maddock Bobcats, and NDSU Bison.  Daily routines were devotions, bird watching, journaling, and enjoying "Peanuts" and "Dennis the Menace." in the newspaper.  Helen was a dedicated Lawrence Welk and RDFTV country/polka music fan.   A brush with a celebrity she was most proud of was receiving the first Colonel Sanders pin in ND, from the Colonel himself when she worked at the Big Boy in Fargo.

She is survived by her daughters: Connie (Paul) Backen of West Fargo, Kris Pranke of Gilbert, AZ; daughters-in-law: Pat (Steve) Pranke of West Fargo, Laurie (Kent) Pranke of Maddock; eight grandchildren: Joel, Erik, Scott (Shannon), Steven, Peter, Amanda (Brandon), Kaia (Scott) and Andrew;  three great grandchildren: Sophie, Brooklyn, and Cash; two four-legged grandchildren: Herbie and Beezie in AZ; brother-in-law Maurice (Mavis) Goodwill; sisters-in-law: Phyllis (Donnie) Hakanson and Francie (Bert) Berg; nieces and nephews: Peggy, Larry, Laurie, William, Trish, Doug, Denise, Kathy, Rick, Cindy and Michael; and many cousins and other relatives living in the USA and Norway.

She is preceded in death by her husband Rolf, sons Steve (Butch) and Kent Pranke, parents Hjalmer and Mabel Hakanson, siblings Donnie Hakanson and Mavis Goodwill, brother-in-law Bertram Berg and nephew Keith Hakanson.

Condolences - Berg Family, 602 1st St,  Maddock, ND  58348



Condolences:

My condolences to the Pranke/Berg family, I have so many wonderful memories of your Mom. As long as I can remember our families have had a bond. Her & Rolf were such good neighbors to my folks. When any of us got to Maddock we always enjoyed a visit...and looking for "Spike" we knew he'd be over at your Mom's getting a treat. She will be greatly missed. Hoping you find some comfort knowing you have one more Angel watching over you.  MARY (Buttons) PETERSON



My condolences to Helen's family. I have such fond memories of Helen and Rolf from their visits in Norway, and from my own visit to their farm as a young girl. Helen and Rolf were both such warm-hearted, loving and cheerful people. They always seemed so happy to keep in touch with relatives in Norway, and showed genuine interest in every person they met, young and old. Visiting with them meant lots of laughter, great stories, wonderful conversations about the good old days, about family, farming, animals, cooking and community life. I remember Helen as a caring, friendly and elegant woman, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her. Rolf's cousin Bergljot and family members in Norway all extend our sympathies to Helen's family. Margareth (Ludvigsen) Reiersen, Norway.