Harven D. Berndt, 72 of Avon

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Monday, January 11, 2010 at the Danzig Baptist Church, rural Avon, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church with the family present on Sunday from 2 to 3:30, followed by a prayer service. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials will be directed to the Diabetes or Heart Associations.

Harven Dwain Berndt, son of Robert and Minnie (Triebwasser) Berndt, was born January 26, 1937 on a farm near Avon. He died Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at Benedictine Health Center Dialysis Unit in Yankton. Harven attained the age of 72 years, 11 months and 11 days.

Harven attended country school through the eighth grade and then moved to Tyndall, graduating from Tyndall High School in 1954. After high school, he returned to the farm, where he farmed, raised hogs, sheep and cattle and milked for 30 years. He also sold insurance and seed corn. Harven retired in August of 2004.

Harven married Ruth DeRoos on January 6, 1959 in Springfield. They lived northeast of Avon all of their married life where they worked side by side. Three children were blessed to this union.

Harven was baptized in December of 1949 by Rev. Itterman. He was a faithful member of Danzig Baptist Church, where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and held other church offices. Harven was also a board member of R.E.A., Farm Bureau and Farmers' Coop Elevator.

Harven will be remembered for his enjoyment of singing in the Men's Chorus, love of music, going to auction sales, visiting with people at Terry's shop and his herd of "oreo" cattle. He commented that this year's crop was the best he had ever seen.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife of 51 years, Ruth of Avon; children: Terry and wife Beth of Avon; Vicki Berndt-Odens and husband Brad of Springfield; and Kristi Desaulniers and husband Rob of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren: Landon, Riley and Callie Berndt and Aida and Dawson Desaulniers; two sisters-in-law: Velda Voigt of Avon and Arlene Berndt of Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Harven was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Jordan Berndt; three brothers: Waldo, Wilbert and Lavern; sister Bernice Janssen; and a niece and a nephew.