ETHEL BERNDT

Ethel M. Berndt, age 84, of Canby, MN, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Sylvan Court Nursing Home in Canby. Memorial service was held Saturday, March 1 at the First Baptist Church in Canby with Rev. Jeff Cooper officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN is entrusted with the arrangements. Ethel Marie Berndt was born June 20, 1940 in Avon, to Robert and Gladys (Goerndt) Eggers. She was named after her grandmother, Ethel. As the oldest daughter in a large family, she learned many life skills. Although there was always much to do, Ethel was a good student and learned to play the piano and the trumpet. Ethel was honored to be selected for Girl’s State and Homecoming Queen and graduated with honors from Avon High School in 1958. Following high school, she attended cosmetology school in Sioux Falls. On June 21, 1959, Ethel was united in marriage to Donald Berndt at Danzig Baptist Church in rural Avon. They started their married life in Brookings, where she operated “The Beauty Nook” beauty shop in the basement of their home. In 1965, the growing Berndt family moved to Canby, MN where Don began his teaching career in the auto mechanics department of the new vocational school. Ethel continued to help neighbors occasionally with their hair care needs, but her focus changed to growing a garden, preserving and preparing healthy food for her family. While raising three children, Ethel began a career as a CNA and Med Aide, working 18 years at the Canby nursing home, and later operated the beauty shop for the nursing home residents. She was active in her church and the community volunteering with the bloodmobile, hospice, The Connection, Mecca, American Legion Auxiliary, and other ministries. After Ethel and Don retired, they enjoyed serving 13 years with Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS). They provided leadership for work projects at Bible camps and other ministry organizations during the winter months. In total, they completed 45 projects with RVICS. They enjoyed the adventure of traveling with their RV to new parts of the country and especially valued the friendships made during these years. Ethel enjoyed researching and preserving family history, scrapbooking, coin collecting, baking cookies, doing puzzles and playing games with friends and family. She loved following sports and learning about everyone she met. She always made connections with new friends, remembering many details about their lives. Ethel and Don moved from their residence to Canby Sylvan Place in October 2023 and to Sylvan Court in June 2024. After many years of health challenges, she passed away with Don by her side at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 2 days. As a caregiver herself, she was grateful for the many who cared for her throughout her life. Grateful for having shared Ethel’s life are her husband of 65 years, Donald; her children: Michelle (Doug) Anderson, Sioux Falls; Jeffrey (Ken Willock) Berndt, Sacramento, CA; and Melissa (Mike) Halsne, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: Kari (Josiah) Waderich, Jana Anderson, Ryan (Kelly Condon) Halsne, and Jake (Olivia) Halsne; great grandchildren: Hazel and Hugo Waderich; sisters: Marjorie (Pat) Pullen and Mary Ann Rucktaeschel; brothers: Francis Eggers and David (Carol) Eggers; sister-in-law, Deb Eggers; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Eggers and Gladys (Bob) Seiner; brothers: James and Stan Eggers; and sisters: Georgia Lee Eggers, Ruth Ann (John) Crain, and Jane (George) Osborn.