Thelma Berntson

Glendive, Montana: Thelma Berntson, age 96, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2013 in Glendive. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Interment will be held in the Keene Cemetery in Keene, North Dakota at a later date. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Thelma, the daughter of Alfred and Norma Berntson, was born on February 19, 1917 in McKenzie County, North Dakota. At the age of three weeks old the family crossed the Missouri River in a horse drawn sleigh to Sanish, North Dakota. There she and her two sisters, Naomi and Audrey were raised and educated. Thelma was confirmed on June 15, 1932 in the Sanish English Lutheran Church. Following high school graduation in 1935, Thelma attended Jamestown College and later Minot State College where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1950. In 1959, she earned a Master of Science Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Wisconsin. She pursued further education of the handicapped and received certification as a Teacher and Administrator in Special Education from Eastern Montana College in 1969. Thelma began her teaching career in 1938 in North Dakota school; namely, McKenzie County rural schools, Oakes and Williston elementary schools. She moved to Kalispell, Montana in 1948 where she continued to teach first grade. Her teaching career in Glendive began in 1950 was varied: first grade, Remedial Reading, Remedial Speech, Preschool class for Developmentally Delayed and Coordinator of Special Services for the district. She retired in 1984. At the state level she assisted in organizing the Montana Council for Exceptional Children and the Montana Speech and Hearing Association. She held membership in the Montana Reading Council. In recognition of her contributions to education, Thelma was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1980 from the Montana Council for Exceptional Children, The Aage Hanson Professional Award in 1982 by the Montana Association for Retarded Citizens, a plaque noting membership on the Montana Special Education Panel from the Department of Public Instruction in 1982, Honor Career in Education from the Glendive Elementary School District in 1984, and in 1990 the Special Friend of the Retarded Award from the Southeastern Montana Association of the Retarded. A motto clipped to her mirror read, “No man stands as tall as when she stoops to help a needy child.” Thelma was a life time member of Zion Lutheran Church and was involved in the Chancel Guild, Memorial Committee, Sarah Bible Study Circle, Prayer Group and Zion Lutheran Church Women. Participation in other groups included the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Chapter A of the P.E.O Sisterhood, Glendive Book Club, Glendive Medical Center Auxiliary and Glendive Garden Club. Among her many interests were reading, handwork, gardening, music, history and cooking/baking. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Minerva Winifred and Naomi Shervan. Thelma is survived by her sister Audrey (Alden) Smith of Glasgow, Montana; nieces and nephews, Gordon of Elkhart, Indiana, Howard Sherven of Helena, Montana, Arlene (Laddie) of Lincoln, Nebraska, Wanda Jaeb (Bob) of Helen, Leland (Kathy) of Glasgow and Jacquelyn (Steve) of Beaverton, Oregon. Her nieces and nephews together with their children and grandchildren were the “lights of her life.” Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Thelma Berntson

February 19, 1917 - April 6, 2013

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Thelma Berntson

February 19, 1917 - April 6, 2013

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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