Beatrice N. Affeldt

Beatrice N. “Bea” Affeldt was born October 22, 1930, in Turtle Lake, North Dakota, to Edna and Oscar Bergo. She graduated from Turtle Lake Public School in 1948 and went on to attend the School of Business in Wahpeton, North Dakota. She worked as a secretary for the North Dakota State Income Tax Department until 1951, when she entered the Bismarck Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated in 1954 and began a nursing career devoted to caring for others.
While attending school in Bismarck, Bea met Harold Affeldt, who was studying Radiologic Technology. They married on July 11, 1954, in Turtle Lake and, following graduation, moved to Walla Walla, Washington, to begin their careers together. In 1955, they returned to North Dakota, where they were both employed at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo.
In 1968, Bea and Harold moved their family to St. Cloud, Minnesota. Bea continued her nursing career in surgery and recovery, infectious disease, and later home care at Country Manor. She retired in 1989 after many years of caring for patients and families.
Bea’s care for others extended well beyond her nursing career. She was an active member of Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, where she sang in the senior choir, participated in church bells, and was part of the Atonement quilters. She also generously gave her time as a volunteer with Catholic Charities, Heartland Hospice, and the Jacob Wetterling Foundation.
Bea and Harold shared many happy years camping and traveling with family and friends. Above all, Bea treasured her family and the life she and Harold built together. They shared 60 years of marriage before Harold’s death in 2014.
Bea was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold; her parents, Edna and Oscar Bergo; one brother; and five sisters.
She is survived by their four children, Marilee Rose, Bill (Cheri) Affeldt, Jdee (Gary) Rueter, and Christine (Brent) Olson; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers; and many other relatives and friends who were fortunate to share in her life.
A private family service and burial will be held at a later date at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota, where Bea will be laid to rest beside Harold.
Among the words Bea chose to leave behind were these:
“God never promised days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain. He did promise strength for the days, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”