Clarice Brekke • 1908 - 2005

Clarice Brekke, 97, Velva, ND, died Monday, September 19, 2005, at a Minot hospital.

Clarice Alice (Pfeilschiefter) Brekke was born July 27, 1908, the daughter of Jacob and Cynthia (Wilson) Pfeilschiefter on the family farm located in McHenry County, near Simcoe, ND. She was raised and educated in the Simcoe area and attended Granville High School.

As a young adult, she worked as a housekeeper for various families in the Minot and Simcoe areas.

Clarice married Daniel Brekke on November 8, 1930, at the Lutheran Parsonage in Velva. Their first home was on a farm near Granville. They later moved near the Truax Traer Coal Mine. In 1943, they made their home one mile south of Velva until 2001, when she moved to the Valley View Manor Assisted Living in Velva. In January 2005, she moved to Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Clarice was an active member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church and the Ladies Aid. She was also a former member of the North Prairie Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Senior Citizens of Velva.

She enjoyed quilting with the Velva Senior Citizens and Oak Valley Lutheran Church, working with her rug machine and playing her organ. She loved making kool-aid, cookies and pancakes for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving family includes:
children: Donna (Lyle) Caulkins, Lincoln, NE, Eileen Bentley, Guerneville, CA, Donald (Gerry) Brekke, Grand Forks, ND, Darlene (Kenny) Schultz, Pepin, WI, Marlys (Bennie) Brossart, Minot, and Dan (Donna) Brekke, Minot; 21 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; daughters-in-law, Evelyn Brekke, Velva, and Donna Brekke, Helena, MT; sisters, Eva Swensrud, Minot, Lavella Kinnard, Seattle, WA and Orvetta (Chris) Blanca, Seattle, WA; brother, Ralance (Mildred) Pfeilschiefter; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Clarice was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, John, Dale, and Chris Brekke; infant daughter, Elaine Brekke; son-in-law, Jim Bentley; three grandchildren, Kevin, Lenny and Carrie Brekke; one great-grandson, Riley Brekke; brothers, Lloyd, Wesley, Glen and Clifford "Buddy" Pfeilschiefter; sisters, Elnora Olson, Mabel Olson and Vi Christenson.

Funeral: Friday, September 23, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.

Interment: North Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, Simcoe, ND.

Visitation: Thursday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Velva.

Memorials are preferred to North Prairie Lutheran Cemetery Fund.

Officiant: Pastor Rollin Rogness

Music: Pastor Rollin and Mary Lou Rogness, to offer, "Beyond The Sunset"
Rev. Adine Harsch to offer, "Today's Mine, Tomorrow May Not Come"
Marilyn Anderson, Organist
Congregational Hymns
"In The Garden" (Insert) & "How Great Thou Art" #532

Honorary Bearers: Clarice's family and friends

Active Bearers: Dan Caulkins, Doug Caulkins, Dave Caulkins, Dean Brekke, Ray Brekke Bruce Brekke, Mark Schultz, Mike Schultz, Paul Brekke, Terry Brossart, Tim Brossart, Brad Brekke

Back to Obituaries