Doris V. Berntsen

Doris V. Berntsen, of Telford, formerly of Clinton, Iowa, passed away peacefully December 9, 2015 at the Lutheran Community at Telford. She was 99.

She was the beloved wife of the late Arnold J. Berntsen for 41 years until his death in 1982.

Born in Minneapolis, MN, she was the daughter of the late Oscar O. and Esther (Lundberg) Hatlen. Doris was a 1934 graduate of South High School, Minneapolis.

After World War II, the Berntsens moved to Clinton, Iowa, where Doris was employed as an office administrator for a chief anesthesiologist and as a secretary for the County Medical Society Tumor Registry.

She relocated to Perkasie at age 80.

A devout Christian, Mrs. Berntsen had been a long-time, active member of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Clinton, where she had loved Bible study and singing in the church choir. After her move to Pennsylvania, she played in the bell choir of Trinity Lutheran Church, Perkasie.

Doris had also been a member of several Clinton-based organizations, including the Agatha, Jane Lamb, and Samaritan Auxiliaries, in support of local hospitals. She was also a former board member of the Clinton Community Concert Association.

She is survived by her son, The Rev. Dr. John A. Berntsen, and his wife, Mary Lynn, of Perkasie; her daughter, Dr. Jane Strickert, and her husband, Richard, of Austin, TX; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 16, in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 19 South Fifth Street, Perkasie, PA 18944. Following the service, the family will greet guests at a luncheon reception at the church.

Interment will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Organ Fund of Trinity Lutheran Church at the address above.