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 relied on her faith in God, and the love of her family & friends, when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, nearly 11 years ago. She continued to live her life with optimism, fun & adventure. Her family was fully prepared for the long journey ahead, but before she had a chance to move into a Memory Care facility, she had a stroke and instead heaven gained a fun, energetic angel.

Beverly Ann Hart, was born April 5, 1939 in Langdon ND to Walter and Helen (Paulson) Hart. She grew up on their family farm in Wales ND, she was the middle child of her two sisters, Darlene (Woldseth) and Jan (Prondzinski). She attended elementary school at the rural Moscow Township school, then attended school at Langdon High School.

June 8th, 1956, she married her love, Richard Wayne Sturlaugson, in Langdon ND. They started their family life, with Richard working in the family business, Sturlaugson Oil Service Station. Bev took life challenges head on, in 1966, with four young daughters in tow, Bev & Richard decided to build the Dairy Queen, which they named the Four Queens Dairy Queen in honor of their four daughters, Brenda, Kim, Terryl, Helen. That same year, they were blessed with a son, Dan. Unwavered, with determination and her extraordinary work ethic, she ran a successful business, while teaching all of us life lessons on what it takes to run a 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, then started a business called Sports & Shirts in Langdon ND. She turned every venture into a success, she 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 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, they bought their first cabin on Pelican Lake in 1981. For the next 40 years, Pelican Lake became the gathering place, as the family expanded with grandkids, they added on to the cabin. After years of traveling back and forth from Langdon ND to Pelican lake MN, they built their lake home in 1993, and made Pelican Lake their permanent home.

Bev was not ready to retire, she got an idea inspired by an old log house near the lake that needed a lot of work, but she saw the potential for a gift shop. So in 1995 she started a gift shop called From the Hart in Dunvilla MN. Of all their businesses, this is the one she loved the most. It was her heart and soul, her personality into every purchase. She took pride in finding local artists and unique items that she purchased with her customers in mind. She delighted in creating a unique shopping experience for her customers, who adored her and her store. She finally retired in 2014. During these years they started to winter in AZ, they loved the weather and had lots of fun times with friends & family.

Bev was fun loving, sassy, full of life and fearless. She loved her music and loved to dance. She chose to be positive, she chose to be happy, she would 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 her.

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

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.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Richard Sturlaugson, his parent, 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, 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, 48203 US Hwy 59 Pelican Rapids, MN, where friends & family will gather to honor and remember the incredible woman she was.

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