Ellen Berkness

The family of Ellen Berkness of Eagle Bend has chosen to have a private service celebrating her life. Ellen, age 88, passed away on September 21, 2023 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples, MN. Ellen Hedvig Ecklund was born to John and Alice (Upton) Ecklund on December 9, 1934, at Little Sauk, MN. By 1946, her family relocated to a farm in Eagle Bend. Here, with her eight siblings, she formed her disposition for working hard that would carry throughout her life. After graduation Ellen started working at Dr. Smith’s office. She sometimes spent her free time at the movie theater in Eagle Bend. This is where she met her future husband, Charles Berkness. Ellen moved to the Twin Cities some time thereafter. She initially worked at National Tea grocery store and later at Pearson’s Candy Company. Ellen and Charles were married on May 20, 1957, at Sisseton, SD. They settled near Eagle Bend and raised their five children. Ellen was known for her kind and caring heart. She also had a quick-witted sense of humor! She loved to garden, do yardwork, and grow flowers. Indoors, Ellen enjoyed solitaire, completing word puzzles, watching the Game Show Network and the Food Channel. She had a newfound interest in Tiktok to the point some would call her Tiktok Grannie. Most of all, she loved visits with her grandchildren and catching up with loved ones through letters, phone calls and visits. Ellen was a dedicated Christian through her Lutheran faith. Preceding Ellen in death were her husband, Charles (2002); parents, John and Alice; brother, John Ecklund and sister, Laura Ecklund. Surviving Ellen are her sons, Dale Berkness (significant other Rochelle) and Paul Berkness both of Eagle Bend; daughters, Beverly Snyder of Eagle Bend, Carla Dickinson of Clarissa and Barbara (Shawn) Kleine of Western, NE; 14 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; siblings: Richard Ecklund of Butte, MT, Charles (Waltraud) Ecklund of Wheaton, Robert (Joyce) Ecklund of Dassel, Barbara (Dick) Swenson of Ronon MT, Margaret Burke of Cibolo, TX and Jeanette (Louis) Fallon of Darwin MN; along with a host of friends. Burial will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Eagle Bend, MN.

Ellen Berkness

December 9, 1934 - September 21, 2023