Olive Mildred Berens

Olive Mildred Halvorson, born on July 28, 1924, in Starbuck, Minnesota, to Hans and Nina Halvorson, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Olive (Ollie) grew up in Starbuck and attended Starbuck High School, where she was an excellent student who was involved in many school activities, her favorite being a member of the high school choir. She was also involved with her Lutheran Church choir where she sang for many weddings and funerals of church members.

Following high school Ollie worked as a dental assistant until she married Roy Berens on October 24, 1944, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota.

They moved to Benson and raised five children. Ollie was a devoted full-time mother and homemaker while also helping Roy establish his livestock trading business by setting up all his appointments with his customers.

Ollie was known for her phenomenal cooking and baking, as well as being a wonderful seamstress. She was an excellent card player and loved gardening and nature.

As her children grew up, Ollie took a job out of the home for 14 years as a chiropractic receptionist and assistant. She loved interacting with the public and was very successful at her job. She held several other jobs throughout her career as well.

Ollie was active at St. Francis Church and served on the food committee for funerals and church celebrations. She also provided many meals for the Benedictine Sisters who taught at the school.

Ollie was preceded in death by her husband Roy, son Allen, her parents Hans and Nina, and eight siblings: Harold, LeRoy, Clarice, Bernice, Lorraine, Marvin, Don, and Carol. She is survived by her daughter Joan (Joe) Cronin, son Tim Berens, daughter Patty (Mike) Ruhland, and son Dave (Lexi) Berens, twelve grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Ollie was an inspiration for all her family and all who knew her. She believed that hard work was the key to success and never gave up. She lived life to the fullest for 101 years.

Ollie will truly be missed.

Visitation for Ollie will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2025, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at the church. Burial will be at St. Francis Catholic Church Cemetery in Benson, Minnesota.