Bernice M. Bensen

Bernice Margareta Bensen, 95, Bismarck, a resident of Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center went to Heaven on March 22, 2018. Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, March 27, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E. Avenue C., Bismarck. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Monday, March 26, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck. Bernice was born January 22, 1923, in Fargo, ND, to Magnus and Hilda (Jorgenson) Cleven. She attended schools at Arthur and Hunter, ND, where she graduated from high school in 1941. Bernice married the love of her life, Orlin Bensen Sr., from Erskine, Minnesota, at her parent’s home near Hunter, ND, on January 16, 1943. They moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Orlin was stationed in the service for the first part of WWII. She then moved to her parent’s farm near Hunter, ND, when Orlin was transferred to Europe for the duration of the war. Bernice and Orlin subsequently lived in Mayville, Rolla, Williston, Fargo, and Bismarck, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Together they had three children, Orlin Jr., Steven, and Robert. Bernice was a nurse assistant who worked or volunteered at various hospitals, clinics, and nursing home in Williston, Fargo, and Bismarck. She retired from Quain and Ramstad Clinic in 1987. Bernice enjoyed fishing some of the big lakes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as various locations on Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River. She loved traveling to various places throughout the United States to visit friends and places of interest. Her favorite place to travel was Norway to visit relatives and to enjoy the many attractions such as one of the original Kleven family farms, the Fjords, Nordic foods, museums, and the history of Norway and the Vikings. She was very proud of her Norwegian ancestry and she spoke and understood the Norwegian language. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and admiring her flower gardens especially the roses. She was very active in her church, Faith Lutheran Church, serving in a number of capacities. Also, she was a member of the Sons of Norway, Elks, Eagles, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary. Bernice is survived by her three children, Orlin Jr. (Deborah) Bensen, Bismarck, Steven (Deborah) Bensen, Mayville, and Robert (Debra) Bensen, Bismarck; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Orlin Sr.; her parents; two brothers; one infant sister; and one granddaughter. Bernice’s family want to thank the staff at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center for the care and friendships formed there and also Sanford Hospice. The family prefers memorials to Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.