Obituary - Wilma Inez (Dent) Berge

Wilma Inez (Dent) Berge was born Aug. 6, 1927, at Corsicana, Texas.

She was one of two children born to Exa Delana Dodson and William Thomas Dent.

Inez received her early education at Martin's Mill, Texas. She finished her secondary education at New London, Texas, where she graduated from high school in 1945.  During her high school years Inez excelled in home economics.

She met a young Montana farmer, Sam W. Berge, an Army recruit who was stationed in Texas for a short while before being deployed to Europe during World War II. Their relationship first began as "pen-pals." Following Sam's discharge, he returned to Texas to propose to his sweetheart. The couple was married on Oct. 30, 1946, in Sherman, Texas.

They moved to Montana so Sam could pursue his farming career in the Rudyard community. Inez worked diligently as a farm wife, homemaker and mother of three daughters. In 1984 they retired and moved into Rudyard. The couple were married 53 years when Sam died on Dec. 15, 1999. Inez continued to live independently for 10 years, then moved to the home of her daughter, Claire, for the next five years. Due to additional health problems, Inez transferred to the Northern Montana Care Center in March 2014. She died peacefully at this Havre nursing facility on Saturday evening, Feb. 7,  2015. She was 87 years old.

Inez received her early religious education in the Church of Christ in Texas. After moving to Montana she became active at the Goldstone Church north of Rudyard and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rudyard. In addition to serving as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher, she was a loyal member of WELCA's Faith Circle.

Inez was active in other organizations, including the Rudyard Garden Club, the Rudyard Senior Center and the Montana Democratic Party. During her girls' formative years, she volunteered as a youth leader (for the Montana Farmers Union) and a 4-H leader (for the "Pastry Pals"  4-H Club). Inez also served as a Hill County election judge for many years.

The Berges enjoyed traveling. They made many memorable trips to Norway, Alaska and Texas (to name a few). They also enjoyed their summer excursions to Flathead Lake at Kalispell.

Inez enjoyed many home-based hobbies, like cooking, baking and canning. Her canned goods and homemade cakes and pies were often selected as "Best of the Show" at the annual Hill County Fair in Havre. Other family favorites included her homemade buns/cinnamon rolls and her delicious pot roasts, baked beans and potato salads. Associated with her cooking skills, she enjoyed a large collection of recipes.  In addition Inez loved doing arts, crafts and crocheting - she made many appliqué dishtowels for family and friends. She  enjoyed her large glassware collection (including cups, saucers and depression glass).  Inez truly loved being a homemaker and mother.  Her home was always clean, tastefully decorated and  welcoming to friends and family. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Inez was preceded in death not only by her husband and parents, but also by her only brother and his wife, George and Mildred Dent.

Survivors are her three daughters and their spouses, Cheryl and Nolan Fladstol of Rudyard, Claire and John Wendland of Rudyard, and Ellen and Rod Wirshing of Lolo; six grandchildren, Joel Fladstol and Kira (Dallas) Weber, Erin (Adam) Murphy and Jared Wendland, and Andrea and Cody Wirshing; three great-grandchildren, Rylan Fladstol and Avery and Wrenn Murphy; and one nephew, Richard (Sharon) Dent of Liberal, Kansas.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Rudyard.  Following burial in the Rudyard Cemetery, a luncheon will be held at the church.  

 Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester. Memorials may be given to the Rudyard Senior Center, the Rudyard Museum or to the charity of the donor's choice.