Deborah C. Carlson Bertinuson was born on August 29, 1925 in Racine, WI. She was one of eight children born to Cornelius and Deborah (Larson) Carlson.
Receiving her education in Racine, WI, she attended Fratt Elementary, McKinley Junior High and Park High, graduating from Park High School on January 28, 1944. Following her graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper for a local floral shop and also worked in the purchasing department of Massey Harris.
She met her future husband, Barney Bertinuson, when he came to visit her brother, Belmont, a service buddy whose life he helped save. On October 23, 1948 she and Barney Bertinuson were united in marriage at the Holy Communion Church in Racine, WI. Following their marriage, they returned to Barney’s home community near Alexander, ND, where they ranched and farmed with Barney’s parents, eventually purchasing the home place and adding more land. Debbie was a true partner and helpmate to her husband.
Barney and Debbie were devoted to their only child, Deborah Ann and rejoiced at watching their family grow with the birth of grandchildren Dee Ann and Daniel. Debbie was also blessed with four great granddaughters, which brought her so much joy the last 10 years.
An important part of Debbie’s life was her Christian faith. She was baptized on December 27, 1925 at Zion Lutheran Church in Racine, WI. On May 5, 1940, she was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Holy Communion Church in Racine, WI. She was a former member and treasurer of the Timber Creek Church which her father-in-law helped found. Following the closing of the Timber Creek Church, she and her family became members of the Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard, ND where she continued to be an active member of the WELCA.
As a community member, she was active on the Patent Gate School Board where she served as treasurer. She was also a member of the West Plains Library Board, the Sons of Norway, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Arnegard Lionesses, and the Cheery Homemakers. She and her husband were charter members of the Heritage Park. Debbie was a loyal volunteer for the Democratic Party, donating her time and talents, while establishing lifelong friendships.
Those who were privileged to share her life and who mourn her passing are; her daughter Debbie (Ed) Simmons of Fairview, MT; her grandchildren, Dee Ann (Matt) Schnacky of Prior Lake, MN; Daniel (Chelsea) Simmons of Fargo, ND; great granddaughters, Evelyn Anna Schnacky, Rilo Martha Simmons, Nealia Ann Schnacky, and Alida Kay Simmons, her sister-in-law Ruth Rolfson of Watford City, ND. Debbie’s cousins, Morris (Bonnie) Vaagenas, Carl (Ruth) Vaagenas both of Minneapolis, MN, and Dorothy Johnson of Cartwright, ND.
Debbie was preceded in death by her husband Barney, her parents Cornelius and Deborah Carlson; her brothers, Kenneth, Arnold, Belmont and Earl; her sisters, Kathryn Albeck, Margaret Francis, Alida Newman. Also preceding her were her in-laws, Torvald and Anna Bertinuson; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Sanford, Theresa Johnson; brothers-in-law, Ernest, Iver, Edward, and Tor Bertinuson.