Thelma Karlberg’s love of life didn’t come to an end with her death. Thelma passed away on August 5 th , 2023 at the age of 79, after a battle with cancer, sur rounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Thelma knocked on Heaven’s door and God answered it and peacefully received her in.
Thelma was born to Olaf & Irene Hagen on March 4 th , 1944 in Noonan, ND. Thelma attended school in Noonan before marrying Allen Karlberg on January 28 th , 1961, and they recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. Thelma worked several jobs in the Noonan & Crosby area before doing what she loved best, selling Avon for 40 years, mostly in Center, ND. Always concerned about her looks, hair, makeup and fashion, Thelma shared her passion by selling Avon Products to hundreds of customers to help beautify the world. She was often a top salesperson and received several awards from Avon throughout her career that she was very proud of. While selling Avon, she was knocking on doors and always willing to sit down with her customers and enjoy a cup of coffee, but she mostly cherished her conversations and friendship with them.
Thelma & Allen loved to travel around the US and over the years and they traveled to 48 states via car, RV, tour bus, trains, planes & cruise ships. During the summers you would find Thelma & Allen camping most weekends in their RV at various lakes & campgrounds with their camping friends and family. Thelma and Allen always looked forward to attending the Norsk Hostfest in Minot every year, attending 43 years total.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Thelma, but her greatest was her love for her five grandchildren, Ryan (April) Berger, Tara (Marc) Spinelli, Corey (Kayla) Berger, Amber (James) Grause, Tanner (Kiera) Berger and nine great grandchildren Nevaeh, Calli & Kendall Berger, Rowdy Berger & Tate Shearer and Hayley, Landon, Caleb & Brayden Grause.
Thelma is survived by her husband, Allen; daughter, Carrie (Barry) Berger, Dickinson, ND; son, Troy (Melody) Karlberg, Bismarck, ND; sisters, Arlene Schmidtke & Rose Hinricksen; sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Helen & Merle Brenno; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one aunt, Mildred Hagen; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, Olaf & Irene Hagen; sister, Clarice Saeman; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mabel (Lawrence) Fliflet; father-in-law, Axel Thorsten Karlberg; brothers-in-law, Vern Saeman, Cal Schmidtke, Jerry Hinricksen & Floyd Cornwell; along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will take place at the Bismarck Funeral Home on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 at 5:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 11 th , 2023 at 10:30am at the Bismarck Funeral Home, with Pastor Dennis Ristvedt from St. Paul Lutheran Church of Center, ND officiating. Burial and a graveside service will follow the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bismarck. Following the graveside service, everyone is welcomed for a luncheon and fellowship at the Bismarck Eagles Club in Bismarck.