Marvis "Sam" Berneking

Marvis “Sam” Berneking, age 77, of Breckenridge, MN passed away January 26, 2021 at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2021 from 12 PM to 1 PM followed by his 1 PM funeral service at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge. Pastor Philip Blom will officiate the service. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Breckenridge. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Fargo VA on 2101 Elm St N, Fargo, ND, 58102. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home.

Marvis Eugean Berneking was born September 23, 1943 in Wheaton, MN to Eugean and Esther(Kassahn). He grew up there and graduated from Wheaton High School.

He joined the US Navy in 1963 and was on a submarine and aircraft carrier as a Maintenance Machinist. In 1966, he transferred to the US Naval Reserves and drove truck when he was not drilling. Sam met Geraldine Hintz in South St. Paul, MN and together they had two children Carolee and Russ. Sam earned the National Defense Service Medal before being honorably discharged in 1969.

Driving truck allowed Sam to do quite a bit of traveling. He would make sure to visit his children if he were driving through their towns. Sam was part of building the McClusky Canals in ND and right before retirement worked on the dike in Devils Lake, ND.

When he wasn’t working, he loved camping, fishing, wrestling (as a teen) watching the Packers, and playing pool.

He had many other great accomplishments in his life including winning state championships in pool and has an undefeated high school wrestling record. Sam had a life full of adventures, amazing people, and great experiences.

He loved teaching people how to play pool and taught his grandchildren how to drive.

Sam’s caring, hardworking, and selflessness will forever be missed by his children; Carolee (Kyle) Schenck, of Cottage Grove, MN, and Russ Berneking, of Rothsay, MN; siblings, Roger Berneking, of Wheaton, MN, Dale Berneking, of Moorhead, MN; James (Evelyn) Berneking, of Mora, MN, Paul (Linda) Berneking, of Barney, ND, and Ethel (Douglas) Rasmusson, of Fargo, ND; 6 grandchildren, Carolee, Caitlyn, Kylee, Jaden, Abby, and Emily; 1 great-grandchild, Bentley; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugean and Esther Berneking, sister, Betty; sisters-in-law, Thelma and Kathy; and brother-in-law, Earl.