The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Edith Brooberg, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at PioneerCare.

Edith Mae-Louise Nelson was born Nov. 15, 1915 to John Hjalmar and Ellen (Gulbrandson) Nelson of Midway Township, Proctor. Edith was baptized and confirmed at Midway Lutheran Church of Proctor. She attended schools in Proctor, graduating from high school in 1932.

Upon graduation she attended the University of Minnesota Ag School in St. Paul, graduating in 1936 studying predominately Home Economics classes. In lieu of tuition she cleaned the dorms and kitchen.

After graduation Edith worked at many homes of wealth in Duluth with one of the homes being the Walter Congdon family. Her favorite employment was with the Marshall Alsworth family. In her employment she served as the “downstairs girl,” and also “chauffeur” to the couple.

Edith would travel with the family to Miami Beach, Fla., and New York for their winter vacations.

Edith met her future husband, Russell, at Ag School. They were married December 8, 1943 at Midway Lutheran Church, Proctor.

They bought a farmstead in rural Clitherall where they resided until 1954.

In 1954, Russell was elected Otter Tail County Sheriff. Edith’s position was sole cook for the prisoners for the three terms Russell served.

In 1969 Edith began working as a Nurse’s Aide in the Pediatrics Department at Lake Region Hospital. She loved nursing the children.

She retired from the hospital in 1980. Edith was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, where she was active in the Tuesday afternoon bible study.

Edith is survived by her three children, five grandchildren and one great-grandson: Paul (Marlene) Brooberg, Yuma, Ariz., and their children, Tyler of Yuma, Ariz., and Meredith (Elliot) Stewart of Round Rock, Texas, John (Jan) Brooberg of Fergus Falls, and their sons, Nate (Emily) Brooberg of St. Louis Park, and Finn; Darlene Poff of Elkhart, Ind., and her children, Houston and Erica Poff, both of Elkhart; and her 98-year-old sister, Teckla Nelson, of Proctor.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, who died in 2007; and her brother, Alvar.

Memorials are preferred to the Hope Lutheran Church Youth Scholarship Fund.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service Memorial Service: 11 a.m. Friday, at PioneerCare Celebration Center, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Jon Olson

Burial: Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery, Clitherall

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

Condolences may be sent online at GlendeNilson.com