Tekla Bern

Tekla Mae (Rekstad) Bern of Sioux Falls, formerly of Alcester, South Dakota was born at Melham, South Dakota on July 3, 1928 to Hans and Sybil (Lewis) Rekstad. She was baptized on September 16, 1928 and confirmed in 1942 at Grace Lutheran Church in Willow Lake, South Dakota. Her confirmation verse was Mark 16:16. Tekla graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1946. She then attended Nettleton Business College at Sioux Falls and graduated in 1947 with a secretarial degree. Tekla remained in Sioux Falls and worked for AY McDonald Plumbing Company and later for the Fire Underwriters Inspection Bureau. Tekla married Arnold Bern of Alcester, SD on April 5, 1952. They farmed south of Alcester. Tekla also worked at the Alcester Union for eight years and as a teacher?s aide at the Alcester School for one year. They retired in 1988 and moved into Alcester. In 1999, they moved to Sioux Falls. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church at Alcester for 47 years where she was a Sunday School teacher and member of the LWML. She has been a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, since 2000. Tekla enjoyed quilting, reading, crocheting and writing letters to friends and family.She passed away September 28, 2011 at Avera Prince of Peace in Sioux Falls at the age of 83. Grateful to have shared her life are her children, Delvonna (Walter) Baumgartner, Omaha, NE, Chonette (Bryan) Sommervold, Alcester, SD, and Arlan (Tami) Bern, Vermillion, SD; four grandchildren, Jill and Laura Baumgartner, Lauren and Joshua Bern; a sister Iley (Frank) Petereit, Sioux Falls, SD; a sister-in-law Jane Rekstad, Sarasota, FL and nieces and nephews. Tekla was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnold in 2007; brothers, Virgil, Ingvald, Kenneth and her twin brother, Anders Lee. Blessed be her memory. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100