Bernard J. Stalboerger, age 79, of Waubun, MN, died Monday, August 10, 2009 at his home, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Bernard Joseph Stalboerger was born March 28, 1930 in Mahnomen, MN. The infant son of Peter and Clara (Hoelker) Stalboerger, Bernie was so small he could fit in a shoebox. Bernard attended Jaeger country school for three years and finished his schooling at Waubun public school. In 1942 he moved to Waubun where he spent time working for area farmers and for the St. Pierre farm. On February 18, 1952 he was drafted and spent 2 years in the service, serving during the Korean War and spending 18 months in Okinawa, Japan in the Signal Corp Branch. He was released from the Army in 1954 and returned to work on the family farm.


On April 16, 1955 Bernard married Norma Ladwig in Waubun. They were blessed with five children: Judy, Julie, Bill, Sharon and Nancy.

In 1977 Bernard and Norma were selected and honored with the Farmer and Homemakers award of Mahnomen County, Bernard was also selected as the soil conservation farmer of the year.

In 1998, he retired from farming, but still loved to help his son farm.

Bernie loved country music, going on trips with Norma and attending sporting events with his grandchildren. He enjoyed the simple things in life whether it was having coffee with his friends, talking about how the fields looked, or driving around to different neighbors to check on them. He enjoyed talking with his grandchildren about their sporting endeavors and how they were doing in school. Bernard was a quiet man and usually said little, but listened to the conversations with interest.

We all enjoyed listening to his sweet corn growing ventures with the raccoons, teasing him about providing dining and dance music for them at night.

In 1998 Bernard was diagnosed with non Hodgkin lymphoma. During his prolonged decline, he was blessed by the continued love and care from Norma and support of family and friends. He was able to live at the family farm with Norma.

Bernie was active and a member of WAMO (Waubun Area Men Organization), Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council #2573, Ogema VFW Post #9880, Farmers Union and St. Ann's Catholic Church.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Norma; daughters: Judy (Mark) Carlson of Minneapolis, MN, Julie (Keith) Zachariason of Lake Park, MN, Sharon Stalboerger of Horse Creek, WY, Nancy (Kevin) Stock of Mahnomen; son, Bill (Patti) Stalboerger of Waubun; sister, Della Dietz of Graceville, MN; brother, George Stalboerger of Babbitt, MN; two sisters-in-law, Betty Stalboerger and Luverne Stalboerger both of Hibbing, MN; 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Clara Stalboerger; three brothers: Harold, Leander and Marvin; five sisters; and two brothers-in-law, Eugene Kelly and Marcellus Dietz.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun. Visitation was held on August 14th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council #2573 Rosary all at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun. Visitation was held one hour prior to Mass on Saturday. Mass was lead by Father Jerry Orsino OMI, Lea Stech provided special music. Readers were Susan Scherer and Judy Stebber. Pallbearers were Josh Stalboerger, Adam Stalboerger, Jason Ladwig, Dale Ladwig, Keith Stalboerger, Richard Stalboerger, Tim Brown and Eric Ladwig. Honorary pallbearers were Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council #2573, Ogema VFW Post #9880 and WAMO. Military Honors were provided by Ogema VFW Post #9880 and White Earth Veterans Association.

Interment was at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Waubun.