Beret Marie Rysdahl

Beret Rysdahl, age 27, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away on July 23, 2015 following a hard fought battle with breast cancer. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 PM Monday, July 27 at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall. The prayer service will begin at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue Tuesday at the church from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. A celebration of her life will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 28 at Living Word Lutheran Church. Following the luncheon, interment will be at the Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery.

Clergy Officiating: Pastor Dave Christensen
Special Music: Doug Krogen, Guitarist ~ “Have I Told Lately,” “Lord, I Need You”
Congregational Hymns: Living Word Praise Team ~ “10,000 Reasons,” “You’re Beautiful”
Casket Bearers: Tom Jackson, Ben Haugen, Cory Krogen, Eric Rysdahl, Laurel Weilage, Ashley Reiner, Jena Magee, Bethany Hawthorne
Honorary Casket Bearers: Kayla Peterson, Rosalie Maass

Beret Marie Rysdahl was born to Paul and Jill (Klosterman) Rysdahl on January 13, 1988, in Marshall, Minnesota. She attended Marshall High School where she was active in many extracurricular activities. She graduated in 2006. Beret attended UW - Stout where she majored in Food Science and Technology. After graduating in 2010 she joined the Schwan Food Company where she was a Sr. Market Research Analyst in their Bloomington, MN office. She recently celebrated her five year work anniversary with the company.

In the fall of 2012, Beret was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 24. With fierce determination and a strong will to live, Beret took this journey and made it her own. She was relentless in her battle to not let her life be defined by cancer, but rather by strength, courage, faith and hope. Although cancer took her body it never took her spirit. Firmly planted in her faith with God as her foundation, Beret carried on in life in pursuit of the promises made on the cross. Along the way she touched and inspired us all. We looked to Beret as a point of strength, encouragement and light in our lives. Now that she is gone, it is time for us to look at the source of her strength and hope which is God's love for us through Jesus Christ.

Beret enjoyed a rich life with many loving friends and family. She lived big and loved big, living with passion and purpose. She had a drive to explore the world and experience different cultures. In December she joined her brother and dad on a Habitat for Humanity working vacation in Sri Lanka and she had been planning a trip to South Africa in December to visit her other brother. She took many trips with family and friends, always embracing the opportunity to participate in activities such as mountain climbing, boating up the Amazon river, climbing Machu Pichu, sky diving, mountain biking, hiking, running Grandma's Marathon, attending Broadway shows, concerts and sporting events. She never failed to find a beach and enjoy the energy and beauty of the ocean.

Beret forged new territory in her journey and insisted on being in the driver's seat. She incorporated many supportive alternative therapies into her treatment plan and mastered her diet and lifestyle. She was passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they might live healthier lives. Beret loved food and everything about it whether it was researching food trends, trying new recipes, studying nutrition or preparing food for friends and family. She was authentic, fiercely independent but extremely caring and thoughtful, always giving just the perfect and creative gift for each person and occasion. She was a friend to many.

Beret lived a life of enthusiasm and eternal optimism. She never lost the belief that she would regain her health. Through this journey she developed two major themes to live by: To be a LIGHT every day and to speak the TRUTH in love.

Beret died on Thursday, July 23, 2015 in Marshall, MN. She is survived by her parents, Paul and Jill Rysdahl of Marshall, MN; brothers Brock (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Brent (Minneapolis, MN); grandmother Dee Rysdahl (Clarkfield, MN) and an extended family of loving aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Alton Rysdahl, and her maternal grandparents, James and Phyllis Klosterrman. One of her greatest blessings in life was a circle of beloved friends who loved her during life and surrounded, protected and loved her through her final days.

The family invites attendees to the church basement for a luncheon following the service. Following the luncheon, burial will be in Clarkfield. Her celebration of life continues; following the committal, the family of Beret Rysdahl invites attendees to the family farm located at 2436 Hwy 59, south of Clarkfield (mile marker 95). Look for the balloons on the mailbox.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred and will be directed to provide services to cancer patient support. Thank you.