Alvin Thorvald Barenthsen, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2019.

Alvin was born July 26, 1930, in Stanley, ND to Thorvald Axel Barenthsen and Louise (Thomsen) Barenthsen. He grew up on the family homestead northeast of Powers Lake. Alvin attended country school in Garness Township through the 8th grade, attended Powers Lake High School and Wahpeton State School of Science. Alvin’s mother, Louise, died when he was just 12 years old. His father later remarried Carla Holst.

Alvin was united in marriage to Bernice Skarphol on June 22, 1952 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, McGregor, ND. Alvin and Bernice had five children. Alvin worked for Oil Field Service and later Amerada Hess while continuing his farming and ranch operation. He had many good stories and made lifelong friends during his years of employment at Amerada. He always made summer vacation time a priority and our family has many fond memories of those years.
Upon retirement he enjoyed working in his yard, raising a garden, and improving his shoreline property. He loved fishing and spending time teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to fish off his dock. This was often followed by a fillet lesson and a fish fry. Alvin and Bernice enjoyed winters in their home in AZ and made many new friendships during these years. Alvin was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Powers Lake, ND.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Bernice, of 67 years; daughters Cynthia Peterson (Gary), Kathy Busch (Jeff); sons Mark Barenthsen (Kathy), Roger Barenthsen (Melissa). Eleven grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Harriette Jorgenson; brother-in-law, Harlan Skarphol (Fern); sister-in-law, Arlis Watterud (Marlyn); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alvin was preceded in death by his mother, Louise (Thomsen) Barenthsen; his infant brother, Axel Barenthsen; his daughter, Kathleen Louise Barenthsen; his father, Thorvald Axel Barenthsen; his step-mother, Carla (Holst) Barenthsen; sister, Lola (Barenthsen) Odden Haugen; his brothers-in-law, Ernest Odden, Cliff Jorgenson, Morris Foss, and Lloyd Haugen; his sister-in- law, Mavis (Skarphol) Foss and niece, Louise (Odden) Leintz.