Bernice "Bea" Haakenson

Bernice (Bea) Annette Haakenson of Fargo died March 29, 2016 at the age of 104. She was born in 1911 in Williston, North Dakota, the eldest daughter of Norwegian immigrants Torger and Anna (Falkanger) Hofengen. She graduated from Williston High School in 1929. Bernice attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she received her B.A. degree in 1933 and became the first of four sisters to graduate from St. Olaf College. For four years, she held a teaching position at Spring Brook, North Dakota. In 1937 she married Edwin Haakenson at her parents’ home in Williston. The couple lived in Red Wing and Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where Ed was employed in the hardware business. They returned to Williston in 1942 to be affiliated with the Hofengen Furniture business where they remained for 25 years and raised their family.

In 1967, the Haakensons settled in Fargo where Ed became the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge AF & AM of North Dakota. After Ed’s passing in 1972, Bernice was employed as a proofreader first at The Fargo Forum, then at Kaye’s Printing until she retired at the age of 75. She was a resident of Riverview Place from 2002 until her passing.

Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by three sisters, Orpha Torvie, Helen Sathe and Thelma Check. She is survived by her three children, Terry (Cheryl) Haakenson, Charlotte, North Carolina; Janet (David) McNair, Brainerd, Minnesota; and David (Pat) Haakenson, Vail, Colorado. She leaves seven grandchildren, Jason and Cecily Hunter, Katherine Gottsch, Erik, Mark, David and Hillary Haakenson and three step-granddaughters. She also leaves four great-grandchildren.

Bea was an avid reader, bridge player and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. She was also a basketball fan and followed Phil Jackson's career beginning with his high school days in Williston, ND. She was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star and PEO. Additionally, she was a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church of Williston and later a member of Olivet Lutheran Church of Fargo.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the residents, sisters, nurses and the entire staff at Riverview Place for their professionalism, friendship and loving care they offered Bea during her 13 year residency.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Riverview Place at 5300 12th Street South, Fargo ND 58104 or to the charity of your choosing.

The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 20th at 11:00am at Riverview Place in Fargo, ND. She has been buried alongside her late husband Edwin at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fargo.