The Memorial Service for Reuben J. Berreth, age 88 of Mott, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the First Congregational Church in Mott. Pastor John Amundson will officiate with inurnment in Sunnyslope Cemetery at Mott. Reuben passed from this life on Friday evening, December 5, 2008 at St. Alexius Medial Center in Bismarck.


Special music will be provided by Pat Schwartz, organist and Bruce Schwartz and Joyce Richardson, soloists.


REUBEN JACOB BERRETH was born on November 25, 1920, in a sod house on a farm three miles north of Watrous, in Brittian Township, Hettinger County, ND to Jacob C. and Sophia (Schweinforth) Berreth. He attended Burt grade school and graduated from Mott Lincoln High School. Reuben was united in marriage to Frieda Reich in February of 1943. One son Gary L. Berreth was born in February of 1944.


On November 17, 1966, Reuben was united in marriage to Alice (Thompson) Schwartz. In addition to Alice, two daughters, Leslie and Sylvia, and a son Paul, joined the family. They continued farming and ranching near Burt and on a farm one and a half miles southeast of Mott. Reuben and Alice semi-retired in 1977, and spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.


In the late 1970's and early 1980's, Reuben served on the ASCS Board for 3 terms. He was also active on the Township Board and with his church. Where ever he lived he enjoyed woodcrafting, painting, golfing, playing tennis, fishing and boating, playing cards, riding horseback, visiting and drinking coffee with his friends.


Surviving family members include his wife, Alice, Mott, ND; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Pamela Berreth, Bismarck, ND; two step-daughters, Leslie and husband Cedric Sloan, West Fargo, ND; Sylvia Payne, Tuscon, AZ; one step-son, Paul Schwartz and his wife Mary Pat, Mott, ND; ten grandchildren, Nicole (Berreth) and husband Jeff Mindt; Mia (Berreth) and husband Karl Corrigan; Margo Sloan, Mark Sloan and wife Jocelyn; Angie Schwartz; Dawn (Schwartz) and husband Brock Schatz; Ben Graner and wife Jen; Nathan Kremer and wife Jessica; Laura (Kremer) and husband Tim Stokka; and Thomas Kremer; and eleven great grandchildren.


Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Frieda; one son-in-law, Glenn Payne; one brother, Edwin Berreth; and one sister, Edna Diers.


In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.


Visitation will be on Thursday one hour prior to services at the First Congregational Church in Mott.