Berdina Ida (Sickmann) Petzel

Berdina I. Petzel, age 95 of Arlington, died on Friday afternoon, June 28, 2024, at the Glencoe Regional Health Hospital in Glencoe, MN. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN, with interment in the Arlington Public Cemetery. Rev. Matthew Rauh will officiate. Lunch will follow in the church basement. Visitation will be on Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. at the church.

Berdina was born on January 8, 1929, to Theodore and Louise (Witte) Sickmann in Arlington Township, Sibley County, MN. She grew up in Arlington, MN, and attended St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed and also attended the Parochial School. She married LeRoy Petzel on August 27, 1952, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN. The couple farmed in Kelso Township and retired to Arlington in 1996. Berdina was active in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church throughout her life and was a member of the Ladies’ Aid for many years. She and LeRoy enjoyed traveling together, internationally as well as all over the U.S. At home, she tended her flower gardens, crocheted many blankets, held card parties with friends and relatives, and made the best (and most) apple pies. No one ever left a visit without a care package of treats. They celebrated many birthday parties, family reunions, and wedding dances. In more recent years, she enjoyed reading novels and devotionals.

Berdina is survived by her daughters, Rachelle (Dale) Neubarth of Arlington, MN and Debra (Gary) Weckwerth of Arlington, MN; grandchildren Ryan (Michelle) Neubarth, Ross (Frances) Neubarth, Robert (Allison) Neubarth, Karissa (Nicholas) Rasset, Gina (Richie) Kammer and Kaylee (Lance) Messner; 11 great-grandchildren, Harper and Emerson (Emme) Neubarth, Ava, Zane, and Kaden Neubarth, Bryson, Huntley, and Wyatt Rasset, Persephone (Penny) Kammer, and Carson and Grady Messner; sister, Mayona Lind of Winthrop, MN; and sister-in-law, Irene Sickmann of Arlington, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy in 2010; 3 infant sons, Brian, Kurt, and Gerry; grandson, Reed Neubarth; siblings, Lorraine Rucks, Eldred Sickmann, Florence Petzel, and Merrill Sickmann. Many other relatives and friends.