Ruth Berndt, 87, of Avon

Ruth Berndt died Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 23, 2019 at the Danzig Baptist Church, rural Avon. Burial will be in the Danzig Baptist Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Danzig Baptist Church.

Ruth Mae Berndt was born September 17, 1932 at Springfield, SD to Pier G. and Anna (Mesman) DeRoos. She died Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Ruth attended country school for eight years, followed by attendance at Springfield High School for one year. She then stayed home to help her Dad farm after her brother went to the service. Ruth worked at Luken's Bakery in Springfield and later in Mitchell. She also cleaned houses for neighbors.
Ruth married Harven Berndt on January 6, 1959 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. They lived on a farm northeast of Avon where they milked Holsteins for 30 years. Ruth worked hard on the farm and enjoyed driving tractors for fieldwork and trucks during harvest while raising their three children: Terry, Vicki and Kristi.
Ruth was a member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church until her marriage and then attended Danzig Baptist Church for over 60 years after her marriage to Harven.
Ruth loved being outdoors and took great pride in her yard, tending to her flowers and mowing the lawn. She loved music and had a wide variety of musical interests. She also played the piano and accordion. She enjoyed baking (Baked Rice was her specialty), going out to eat with friends and family, and playing board games - especially UNO and Skip Bo - with her grandkids. She regularly attended her grandkids' events whenever she could.
Thankful for having shared her life are her three children: Terry (Beth) Berndt of Avon, Vicki Berndt-Odens (Brad) Odens of Springfield, Kristi (Rob) Desaulniers of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren: Landon, Riley and Callie Berndt, Dawson and Aida Desaulniers; brother Gerald DeRoos of Grandbury, TX; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband on their 51st wedding anniversary January 6, 2010, grandson Jordan Berndt, sister Evelyn (Isaac) Odens and sister-in-law Wilma DeRoos.