Tri-County News

47 years of teaching began with one-room Kimball schoolhouse


Text and photo from March 25, 1976, Tri-County News. The original ?ÄúMeet Your Neighbor?Äù column was by Robin Hasslen.

To you Berle Carlson may just be a new neighbor about whom you are going to find out; to others she has been and continues to be many things. To her students of 47 years, she was an ?ÄúAbe Lincoln?Äù because of her birth in a log cabin [in 1909] and her striving for education. To her mother, Berle was more like Napoleon Bonaparte because she was often sick, thin, and weak. (?ÄúBut look at me now,?Äù she howls!) To many, many residents of Kimball, Berle is a ?Äúwalking missionary?Äù who spends much of her time caring for the sick, the shut-ins, the widowed, and those in need.

Why? What motivates this kindhearted woman to spend her life caring and giving? One needs only to look at and listen to Berle as she vivaciously relates experiences of today and yesterday to find the answer. Up until 1972, her life revolved around her students whom she considered her adopted children, having had none of her own. Her career began in a one-room schoolhouse near Kimball and ended in Minneapolis after 47 years. As I was visiting with Berle, one of her former first-graders, Alice Dammann (now a dairy farmer?Äôs wife and mother of four) appeared. (Indeed the teacher?Äôs ties were bound in loving care.) 

But, in 1972, Berle was in a terrible accident and broke her back. After 6 weeks in the hospital, Berle was released and within 24 hours had fallen and broken her wrist and again injured her back. She had a brace for her back from September 1972 until June 1973 – but nothing to hold her life together. Despite the constant care and devotion by her husband, Iffie, Berle still shakes her head as she remembers the terrible period of depression and despair which she endured. Then one day her cousin started a prayer group at Berle?Äôs house … and the brace that had held her back together was replaced by the strength which she received from Christ. Having regained strength, Berle was determined to make her life once again meaningful. She now busies herself as Sunday School superintendent at the Methodist Church, where she is also president of the United Methodist Women. She teaches a group of mentally retarded adults on Thursdays, acts as the reporter for the ?ÄúKimball Nutrition Center,?Äù and spends time daily reading the Bible, writing, working with her plants, and generally sharing with and caring for others.

Berle?Äôs hope for Kimball is that it may become a God-centered community in which love abounds. One of her mottos is ?ÄúYou?Äôll always reap what you sow?Äù … and from what I know of Berle, her harvest will be bountiful! [Berle Carlson died in 1990.]

* * * * * * *

Save Tuesday evening, June 23, for another unique speaker, 7 p.m. in Kimball?Äôs historic City Hall. Refreshments follow the program and there is no charge.

Also, save June 27, when Kimball?Äôs historians present an annual history exhibit booth at the Fairhaven?Äôs Old Settlers Festival. Come early to enjoy their famous parade before the 9 to 1 event. Food is available or bring your own. Always a relaxing day among friends and bring family and friends. Also, there is no admission.

For information, membership, donations, the Kimball Area Historical Society can be reached at Box 55, Kimball MN 55353, or call (320) 398-5743, or 
398-5250, or email to kimballhistory
@meltel.net
.

 

 

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