Berdena Krapu

Berdena had four siblings: Herman S. Johnson, Kent L. Johnson (Addie) Kurt A. Johnson (Sheila) and Pamela (Johnson) Haugan (Calvin).

Berdena grew up on a farm near Arnegard, ND. She went to a country school near her for her first 8 grades. Her teachers, besides the ones hired by the county included her mom, and a couple aunts. Since the country school only went to the 8th grade, she went to town for the last four years of high school. While in the country school she was the only one in her grade so going into town – Watford City – to a class of 44 made her very nervous. As she was leaving home, her dad said to her: Remember, you are going in to study – not run around. Remember the Johnson name.

When Berdena was 16 years of age, while at a Dagmar, MT convention, she made her choice to serve the God of Heaven. Through varied experiences in life, she remained true to her choice and made her service to God a priority. At 18 years of age Berdena was baptized.

Berdena graduated from high school in 1952. She then went to work as a traveling typist for an oil abstract company. This job took her to several towns in ND, WY, CO and UT. It was during this time she became acquainted with her husband-to-be, Alton N. Krapu.

Alton and Berdena were married on November 24, 1954. They moved often living in ND, KY MT and MN. To this union were born three daughters. Gayle R. Tingley (Brian) of Edmonton AB, Benita R. Straight (Scott) of Monument CO and DeAnn R. Payne (Michael) of Lakewood, CO.

Berdena later worked as a nurse’s aide at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in East Grand Forks, MN, a teletypist at the Grand Forks Herald and 23 years at Northwestern Bell in Grand Forks, ND and Des Moines, IA.

Alton left in 1979 and in 1983 Berdena was transferred with the phone company to Des Moines, IA. After her retirement from the phone company in 1997 Berdena moved to Colorado.

Berdena is survived by her three daughters, four grandchildren: Jessica A. (Tingley) Campbell (Glen), Jennifer R. (Tingley) Campbell, Adam Straight (Sarah) and Aaron Straight (Lisa); and 8 great grandchildren.

Also surviving are her brother, Kent, and sister Pamela, along with several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.