Levoyne I. Littlefield

LeVoyne Irene Berg Littlefield

LeVoyne Irene Berg Littlefield, beloved member of her family, trusted friend, and respected employee of the Moorhead public schools, died at age 91 on Sunday, January 29, 2017, at Eventide Lutheran Home, Nursing Care Facility in Moorhead, Minnesota.

LeVoyne was born on June 24, 1925, at the August Nelson farm in Lake Park, Minnesota, to Olga and Palmer Berg. She attended a one room school for her first six grades. When her parents rented another farm, LeVoyne attended school in Hawley, graduating in 1943. While in high school, “Red” played the piano, sang occasionally on a local radio station, and played basketball. She made life-long friends, was a member of her class homecoming court, and discovered her love of dancing. After graduation LeVoyne worked at the State Bank of Hawley as a bank teller, bookkeeper, and stenographer. On April 22, 1945, she married Harry Littlefield, Jr. While residents of the Fargo–Moorhead area for most of their adult lives, LeVoyne and Harry lived for brief periods in Mission, Texas, and Salem, Oregon. Their daughter Viki was born in 1945 and their son Robert in 1952.

In 1949 with the encouragement of her father-in-law who worked for the school district, LeVoyne applied for the position of secretary to the superintendent of schools in Moorhead and was hired by S. G. Reinertsen. Her responsibilities included preparation of the payroll and financial reports for the school board. She worked for the Moorhead public schools for over 30 years in the administrations of five superintendents, gaining responsibilities as the school district expanded.

In addition to her own work, she was an important supporter of Harry’s career with Branick Manufacturing Company in Fargo, where he was initially in charge of sales, eventually becoming President and General Manager. In the 1960s and 1970s LeVoyne looked forward to joining the Branick team at the annual conventions of the National Tire Dealers and Re-Treaders Association.

Throughout their lives LeVoyne and Harry traveled extensively in the United States and other countries of the world. They made long-term friends in South Africa and England. In 1985 they participated in the 40th anniversary commemoration of V-E Day in Normandy and Paris. In 1997 LeVoyne and her daughter joined other Berg family members to visit Surnadal, Norway, to reconnect with her father’s family after a century’s separation. LeVoyne’s favorite trip was the Hawaiian vacation she and Harry went on with their family in 1982.

In 1983 both LeVoyne and Harry retired, for the next 20 years enjoying their homes on Big Cormorant Lake and returning to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas each winter. LeVoyne could be counted on to help organize reunions for her classmates and friends from work places. She was an enthusiastic gardener, whist player, and visitor to casinos. She and Harry were always available for a quick supper and dancing. Their retirement provided time to participate in the events of their children and grandchildren, Lindsay and Brady. LeVoyne maintained regular communication with her friends and family, nieces and nephews. LeVoyne and Harry were married for 61 years. In 2005 they moved to Eventide Linden Tree Circle in south Moorhead. Since 2006, after Harry died, LeVoyne has lived comfortably at Eventide, making friends, playing cards, and participating in family activities. In the past few years, after a series of strokes damaged her ability to speak and she became increasingly confined, family members and friends came to her for sing-alongs at Christmas, birthday parties, and other celebrations.

The Littlefield family has been members of Elim Lutheran Church in Fargo since 1959. LeVoyne and Harry created an endowed forensic scholarship in the Communication Department at NDSU, where Robert was a long-serving faculty member.

LeVoyne leaves her children, Viki Roberta Bernstein Sand and Robert Kathy; grandchildren, Lindsay Thomas Allen and Brady; and great-grandchildren Emmett and Owen Allen. In addition, she is survived by her brother Donald Berg, and sister Delaine Sheldon Struble; in-laws Delories Berg, Shirlenne Upton, and LeRoy Peterman; and 26 nieces and nephews. LeVoyne was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Lester, and sister Bernice.

Visitation is at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, 605 2nd Avenue South, on Wednesday, February 1, from 5–7 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. The funeral service is on Thursday, February 2, at 10 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church, 321 North 9th Street in Fargo. Burial is at Eksjo Lutheran Church, Lake Park, in the afternoon.

Video Tribute and Online Guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com