Beverly Sturlaugson

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Beverly Ann (Hart) Sturlaugson, 85. She left this world on March 11, 2025, in Clive Iowa, surrounded by the love of her family. Bev was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 11 years ago and she relied on her optimistic outlook on life, her faith in God and her love of her family and friends to continue to live a life of fun and adventure.

Beverly Ann Hart was born April 5, 1939 in Langdon ND to Walter and Helen (Paulson) Hart. She grew up on the family farm in Wales ND, and was the middle child of her two sisters, Darlene (Woldseth) and Jan (Prondzinski). She attended elementary school at the rural Moscow Township school and then attended Langdon High School. On June 8th, 1956, she married her love, Richard Wayne Sturlaugson, in Langdon ND. They started their life together with Richard working in the family business, Sturlaugson Oil Service Station and raising a family of four little girls, Brenda, Kim, Terryl and Helen and one little boy Dan.

Bev had a zest for life and loved challenges. In 1966, with four young daughters in tow, Bev & Richard built a Dairy Queen, which they named the Four Queens Dairy Queen after their four daughters. That same year, they were blessed with a son, Dan. With determination and her extraordinary work ethic, she built a successful business while teaching all of us invaluable life lessons on what it takes to run a family business, to have good customer service skills and how to balance it all with work, family and fun. They sold the Dairy Queen in 1979 and started a business in Langdon called Sports & Shirts. She turned every venture into a success and was a natural entrepreneur with a keen sense for business.

Most summers were spent camping as a family. For many summers they would have at least one family camping trip with cousins at Killarney, Manitoba. The rest of the summer was spent at Icelandic State Park in Cavalier, ND with lots of friends & family. After camping a few times at Pelican Lake MN, in 1981, they bought their first cabin on Pelican Lake. The lake became the gathering place for the family for the next 40 years. As the family expanded and grandkids arrived the cabin expanded to a Lakehouse. Mom and dad could hardly wait for weekends at the lake and spent years traveling back and forth from Langdon to Pelican Lake. They loved life at the lake and in 1993 they built a home on the lake and made it their permanent home.

Bev wasn’t quite ready to retire and she had an idea that was inspired by a 150 year old log two room house near the lake that needed a lot of work. So, she got to work and put Richard to work and in 1995 she started a gift shop using her maiden name called From the Hart in Dunvilla MN. Of all the businesses that they built, this was the one she loved the most. She delighted in creating a unique and creative shopping experience for her customers who adored her and loved her store. She poured her heart and soul into finding local artists and unique and beautiful items that she purchased with her customers in mind. In 2014, she decided that it was time to retire and enjoy summers at the lake and winters in AZ. They had been wintering in AZ for many years and loved the warm weather and had lots of fun times with family and friends.

Bev was fun loving, sassy, full of life and fearless. She loved her music and loved to dance. She had an optimistic outlook on life. She chose to be positive. She chose to be happy. She would often say, "If you're not happy, it's your own damn fault." She had a way of lighting up any room with her wit, humor and unwavering love for those around her. Her strength, kindness and joy for life left a lasting impression on all those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Bev's pride & joy was her family. She is survived by her five children, Brenda (John) Orrell, Clive Iowa; Kim(Greg) Schultz, Peoria AZ; Terryl (Rick) Graalum Fargo ND; Helen (James) Tackett, Seabrook TX; Dan (Jennifer) Sturlaugson, Fargo, ND.

Her 12 grandchildren: Nicole Orrell, Kelsey (Matt) Probasco, Jack Schultz, Savanna Schultz, Kelly(Josh) Perlich, Kyle(Tiffany) Graalum, Kristopher(Christina) Graalum, Kayla Graalum(Cody Wald), JD(Krystle) Tackett, Kody Tackett, Lauren Sturlaugson, Dane Sturlaugson.

Her 14 great grandchildren: Ryker Bergstrand, Declan Orrell-Sinnwell, Caden, Lucas & Emmy Probasco, Anika, Jacob & Jackson Perlich, Briggs & Lennon Graalum, Hayden & Halle Graalum, Michael & Nathan Tackett.

Bev is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Richard Sturlaugson, his parents, Sig & Doreen Sturlaugson, her sister, Darlene Woldseth, her mother, Helen(Paulson) Hart, her father, Walter Hart, Alvina Holo who stepped in after her mother passed to take care of the girls & Walter, her step mother, Ethel(Welsh) Hart, her brother in law, Ron Sturlaugson, her brother in law, James Prondzinski and her great granddaughter Kensington Graalum.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday June 29th at 2:30 pm at the Barn at Dunvilla, at 48203 US Hwy 59, Pelican Rapids MN, where friends & family are welcome to gather, honor, share stories and celebrate the incredible woman she was.

A burial service will be held on Monday June 30th at the Lebanon Cemetery in Langdon, ND at 2:30pm, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Richard Sturlaugson.

Mom, your light will never fade in our hearts. Rest Peacefully, knowing you were deeply loved.