Ethel Rose Berg

On March 5, 2024, Ethel Berg, passed from this earth.  Born the second daughter to Elmer and Elsie (Pronoveaux) Ringhand on June 9, 1933, in Harlowton, MT. Ethel entered this world early at 4lbs 4oz and was brought home in a shoe box.  Elated for her arrival, was her big sister at just (10 months older) and best friend, Daloris Olson. 11 years later, her younger sister Ida Paulette joined the trio.   Ethel grew up on the family farm south of town, where she and Daloris were in the same class at the Langston School.   Daloris and Ethel later came to town for High School, living with their grandparents until graduating in 1950.   Ethel then attended Billings Business College and graduated as a legal stenographer.

Ethel met Donald Berg in her last year of high school and married him later on August 2, 1953.   After Don served in the Air Force, they settled on the family ranch in Martinsdale and raised their three children, Donna, Beth, and Russell. Ethel spent her time in the Musselshell River Valley, raising a large garden that fed her family and the ranch's hired men. Ethel preserved those garden goodies in mason jars, storing them year-long in the root cellar, sharing her dilly beans and many other favorites. Early on, Ethel cooked all the meals for the crew. Ethel was handy with her hands.  She was a master needleworker, both with the sewing machine, teaching many to sew and helping with their 4-H projects including her granddaughters, and with her cross stitch, where she made many ornaments and an incredible Christmas stocking collection for her family.  She enjoyed yard work and always kept a tidy house.   She enjoyed tackling projects including making drapes, upholstering furniture, refinishing furniture, or remodeling her house, and she did it with perfection.  

Ethel loved to work by Don’s side, helping with the night calving chores.  Every spring, you could find her atop a tractor, brush harrowing the fields. She later worked for Stillman Jones at the Martinsdale Merc and was a docent for 26 years at the Bair Museum.  She loved meeting people who toured the museum, and many enjoyed her tours as she went off script, sharing some of her own personal stories about Alberta.

In 1987, Ethel served as the President of Montana Cattlewomen (Cowbelles).  She had the honor of attending a luncheon as a guest of Phyllis Burns (Mrs. Conrad) in Washington, D.C. Ethel was an active member and served as the treasurer for the Martinsdale Community Aid, What Not Club, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Ethel is survived by her children, Donna Hagberg, Beth (Tom) Keating, and Russell (Kathy) Berg.  She was Granny to Kyra Hagberg, Brittney Hagberg, Tina (Mike) Peterson, Kent Keating and Melinda (Colter) Davis.   Great Granny to Kaiden Keating, Emory, Hazley, and Corwyn Davis, and sister-in-law to Don Amundson.  

Ethel joins her husband, Don, her parents Elmer and Elsie Ringhand, sisters Daloris and Johnny Olson and Ida Paulette Amundson, son-in-law Harold (Herk) Hagberg, and grandson Tyrel Berg.

A graveside service will be held at the Lennep Cemetery on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

In Granny’s words “I must have done something right, my family all loves me”, as did many others.   Please join us after the graveside back at the Martinsdale Community Hall to celebrate Granny and share a story.