Obituary of Julien Henry Berntson

Julien Henry  Berntson, 101, of Duluth, MN passed away peacefully Sunday April 18, 2021 at Primrose Retirement Community surrounded by family.

Julien Henry Berntson was born October 8, 1919 to Knute Berntson and Ida Swisher Berntson in a small two room house heated by a wood stove in the Northwoods of Minnesota near Hovland, MN.

Julien attended Flute Reed River school grades 1 thru 6 and Chicago Bay school grades 7 thru 8 in Hovland. The Flute Reed school had one room, no electricity, and a pot belly stove for heat. There was no electricity in the area. Grades 9 through 12 were in Grand Marais almost 20 miles away. There was no transportation available making further education impossible. The Great Depression was making hard life harder for Julien and five siblings. They had a garden and everyday was hunting season. He was an excellent marksman. Ammunition was expensive. Everyone had to pitch in to survive. In 1936 and 16 years old he was able to get into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he served in several different camps. He has been on his own since he was 16.

He was sworn into the U S Army on March 2,1942 at Fort Snelling MN. He did basic training in the 31st Infantry Division (sometimes called The Dixie Division) at Camp Bowie TX. After basic training he was assigned to B Battery, 116th Field Artillery Battalion. They sailed from Newport News to New Guinea. He became a forward observer. There he got his first airplane ride in a C-47. He got several hops up the 1200-mile coast of New Guinea. He used to laugh about his first experience with blood suckers when he had to dive into a drainage ditch for cover. After New Guinea was Morotai Island. On September 15, 1944 he got his first ride on a Higgins boat, landing on Morotai Island. The next stop was the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. There they started getting ready to go into Japan in November. Japan surrendered in September. Everyone was excited to go home. They sailed into San Francisco on December 17th. On December 27th, 1945 at Fort McCoy Wisconsin, he traded in his Sergeant’s strips for an honorable discharge and a thank you letter from President Truman. He was happy to have served the country for four years.

Now it is 1946. It is time to settle down into civilian life. He found a job with the Duluth Public Schools working as a laborer. On August 1st,1947 he started work with the City of Duluth Water and Gas Dept. retiring from there on December 31st, 1983. He started out as a meter reader. And then appliance repair mechanic then a promotion to foreman. It was a job he enjoyed and felt lucky to have and to have worked with so many wonderful people. He met the love of his life Lillian Perala. They were married April 2,1949 in Duluth. Together, they built a home in the Woodland area where they raised four children. Nothing meant more to him than his family. Julien was a man who enjoyed almost everything he did. He did many projects at home to include a kitchen addition after retirement. He was meticulous. He helped his children with their projects. The family took many camping trips up the north shore and out west and many more after retirement. He went to Norway with his son and a daughter to see where his father lived before coming to America. He went on an Honor Flight to see the WW2 Memorial. His last trip was to the WW2 Museum in New Orleans in 2019. He was 99. Julien had many friends. He was an easy man to like. He walked almost every morning at the Miller Hill Mall for the past 20 years. He would get coffee from Peter Regas at Coney Island, later Sue and sit at the same table in the food court with his friends. When asked the secret to his longevity he would say walking daily, oatmeal, and keep the weight off. And luck. He enjoyed being an active member of APERG (Arrowhead Public Employees Retirement Group). He was truly fortunate; his mind was exceptional to the very end. Julien had a rock-solid belief in Jesus Christ our Lord. He strongly felt you should treat people like you would want to be treated. He lived his life by those values. He was always calm and seldom if ever lost his temper. He was a gentleman. He never used bad language or profanity. He was able to live in the same house he built in 1949 until he moved to Primrose one month ago.

Julien was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife of 46 years, Lillian; a daughter Karen Berntson; daughter Debbie Berntson- Gutz; One brother and four sisters.

Julien is survived by his son Wesley (Marlene); daughter Elaine Haglund. Grandchildren: Jonathan (Mandi) Haglund; Wesley (Kirsten) Berntson; Neysa (Steve) Noreen; Debbie (Dave) Alander; Brandon Christensen; Philip (Sue) Haglund; Alan Christensen. Great Grandchildren: Taylor, Kevin, Bryce, River, Daniel, Chloe, Hannah, Samantha, Maxine, Brittney, Grace. Great-Great Grandchildren: Oliver, Camryn, Blake, Navy Lou, and Violet.

Julien’s family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the Primrose staff for all they did over the month he lived there. Special thanks to Dr Jake Powell and Dr Paul Sanford for all they did for him over the years. A special thank you to St Luke’s Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. Luke’s Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, or The Union Gospel Mission.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 June 12, 2021 at Forest Hill Cemetery 2516 Woodland Ave, Duluth. CDC COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.