Rhoda Berens

Rhoda Berens, of Prior Lake, and former longtime resident of Spring Lake Township, passed away on January 3, 2025 at the age of 93. 

A visitation will be held honoring Rhoda on Monday, January 6, 2025, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 10-10:45 am, with a Celebration of Life, at 11 am, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake. Pastor Dan Poffenberger will preside. She will be laid to rest at a private family burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Rhoda's service can be livestreamed at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/AlOHWKNX760

Rhoda Ellen Thompson, August 12, 1931 was born on the family farm in west central Minnesota to Harry and Rosalie Thompson. Growing up she attended Holden Lutheran Church where the roots of her faith grew strong, and where she shared her love of music through singing and playing piano. She had a life-long love of the old church hymns. 

Rhoda married Eugene (Gene) Berens on August 8, 1959, in Benson, Minnesota. Their first house was on Stevens Ave. in Bloomington. In 1963, they built a house and moved to Spring Lake Township where they raised their two sons, operated Berens Construction, farmed, and made many long-time, valued friendships. In 1965, they became Charter members of Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church where many more great friendships were made. Starting out, church was held in the elementary school gym where Rhoda would take turns playing piano for Sunday service. She sang in the choir for many years and later played in the bell choir. After outgrowing the original location, a new church building and senior facility were constructed on a farm she and Gene owned. Gene passed away unexpectedly in 2009, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. In 2018, Rhoda moved into independent living in the attached senior facility, McKenna Crossing where she resided until her passing. When she moved in, she didn’t know anyone there, but soon seemed to know everyone. 

Rhoda is survived by her sons, Doug (Brenda), Kevin (Geri); grandchildren Lynsay, Jake, Casey, Katelyn, and their spouses; 6 great grandchildren, and many other relatives and many friends. 

Rhoda is preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents, Harry and Rosalie Thompson; siblings, Marie (Morris) Young, Warren (Agnes) Thompson, Carol (Stan) Hanson, and Gerald (Chris) Thompson.