Berit (Engebretsen) Kuykendall age 73 peacefully passed away on May 9, 2024 at her home in Boise, Idaho after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Berit was born on June 17, 1950 in Oslo, Norway to Ragnar Asbjorn Engebretsen and Mary Fossbak.
She spent her early childhood and growing-up years living in many places around the world. Including Oslo, Norway; Sydney, Australia; Cooma, Australia; Oslo, Norway; Chicago, Illinois; Tiburon, California; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Bangkok, Thailand; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; and Boise, Idaho. Berit received her Certificate of Naturalization on November 9, 1976.
She was a gifted nurse spending most of her career working in the NICU loving the tiniest babies. Life-long friendships with colleagues were created in the NICU.
In 1989 she married Al Kuykendall. They built a cabin together in Montana and loved traveling together. Babysitting Al’s Grandson, Montgomery, was a highlight and created many memories. In 1996, Al had early symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Berit lovingly cared for Al as his disease progressed until his death in 2018.
Berit was an avid cross-country skier and competed in many races around the world with her two friends, Paddy Yancey and Jan Schlicht. The races included: Norway (the Birkebeiner); Iceland (the Fossavatnsgangan); Canada (the Canadian Birkebeiner); and Italy (the Marcialonga). Locally she competed the Boulder Mountain Tour and the West Yellowstone Rendezvous many times.
She enjoyed spending time at the cabin in Madison Ranch, MT, traveling to Norway to visit her family, caring for nature, crocheting and needlework, baking delicious desserts, creating magical dinners and was an excellent seamstress. There wasn't an obstacle in her life that she couldn't find a work-around for. She was a problem solver and would quickly take action to get things done. Her determination, tenacity and ingenuity were an inspiration to all.
Berit received an award on April 12, 2024 from the Boise Golden Eagle Audubon Society in honor of all her environmental efforts. She deeply cared for our planet and all nature. She was a member of the Weed Warriors of Boise and other birding clubs. She would help with bird nest boxes and loved cleaning up trash. Wherever she was around the world, she cared for the earth with great love and attention to detail. Leaving the environment better than she found it. Berit had great eyesight and was popular in any birding group because she could see the small details in the colors and marking of the birds.
Some of Berit's treasured companions were her dogs Payton (deceased) and Loki. These dogs loved running up and down the dirt road at the cabin, barking at birds and animals and being pampered by Berit. Payton did have one unfortunate encounter with a skunk at the cabin.
Berit was known for her excellent meals and desserts. She made the best cookies and we all loved the huge chunks of dark chocolate she added to them. She was also an accomplished seamstress and made many beautiful clothes including a traditional Norwegian dress-the bunad. Her knitting and crocheting were given to many with love. Even in her last days she was working on a pretty purple scarf for a friend. All who received such gifts were blessed by her talents and love.
She is survived by her sister Eva Golightly (Dennis) of Meridian, Idaho; her half-sister Wenche Øien of Hitra, Norway; her step-sister, Kathi Anderson; step-brothers, Steven Leonard (Mary), John Leonard (Donna), Tom Leonard (Linda), Rod Leonard as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, grandson and great grandchildren. Berit considered Paddy and Jan as sisters.
A private celebration of her life was held May 25, 2024 with close family and friends. Her ashes will be buried beside her husband Al in the Dry Creek Cemetery.
In this picture, Berit is about 7 years old and she is sitting on a bench in Trondheim, Norway, together with her 15-year-old half-sister Wenche and little sister Eva. Just before this photo was taken, Berit ran through the park in Trondheim with a tail of Norwegian children following her. They found it very exciting that Berit was from America and they wanted to hear that she spoke English. But Berit was a determined little miss and she said: No, when I'm in Norway, I only speak Norwegian.
Submitted by Anita Øien Helmersen
Berit has been a wonderful little sister to me, and a lovely aunt to my four children. The picture shows me and my eldest daughter Anita, when we met Berit at the Airport in March 2018. We have always had frequent correspondence with Berit for many years, and she has been to Norway several times, but after Al became ill it became more difficult for her to come. I lost my husband to a heart attack in October 2017 and Berit lost her Al just a few months after that. She has been to Norway several times a year since then and it has been so good for all of us to be with her. We could also experience her joy in Norwegian nature, she always picked up rubbish if she could see it where she was walking. Berit leaves a great void for us. But the last good thing she was able to do was come to Norway last summer with several of our family, with whom we got to know and form good bonds. Rest in peace dear Berit, you had a heart of gold.
Berit and the RootsTech Global Family Recipes Cookbook
My sister and I had just gotten to RootsTech (Feb 29, 24). We were watching the FamilySearch tech Forum and I opened my email from RootsTech. Clicked on the link for the RootsTech Family e-cookbook… and searched eagerly for the recipe my sister submitted last fall.
When I got page 90 and saw a photo of my Aunt Berit my heart was so happy. I showed my sister and immediately we both had tears flowing.
My aunt Berit never had children of her own. She has been “another mother” to me and my 3 siblings. Aunt Berit was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Dec 2023. She started her chemo on Monday (Feb 26, 24). We have sent so many prayers asking for strength as she fights cancer. To see her photo in the cookbook… taken in December 2023…. Before her diagnosis was a miracle! A tender mercy. I am so grateful to have this amazing memory we can share as we celebrate the life of this amazing Norwegian woman who loved to share her love of cooking with her family.
From the cities, to the mountains, to the fjords you always found the perfect place for lunch.
Berit you were always learning, enriching your life and always sharing, enriching the lives of those around you.
Calling you my best friend so underestimates our bond which even in death shall not be broken.
Anna jeffsThank you for the countless hours you spent caring for Berit! You were an angel and your acts of service and love were nothing less than heroic.
Anna jeffs127w
The other side of the finish line
The other side of the finish line
My aunt is an avid cross country skier. She competes in races all over the world with some of her girlfriends. One of my favorite stories is about one of her races in Iceland. Fossavatnsgangan Isafardi When the race started the weather was OK… then the wind really picked up. She just kept going. Her friend Paddy was a ways behind her, they were both struggling. A man on a snowmobile would periodically check-up on them to see how they were doing. When Berit finally crossed the finish line, the crowd was gone and they were cleaning up the area. No bus. No people. When Paddy finished, they had to ask the villager for a ride back to the hotel. They took a shower and thought let’s go check out the banquet. They usually have good food! While they are eating a lady sitting next to my aunt says, “Hey that’s you! They’re calling your name! You won!” My aunt replies, “I was terrible! I was second to last how could I win?” The lady says “you two were the only ones in your age group to even finish the race. You’re first, you get a trophy!” My aunt placed first in her age group, women 50+. Her friend, Patty placed second. I love this story, keep going! even when you want to quit… even when the winds are blowing so hard you want to stop… even when you come in last. You never know what is on the other side of your finish line! About the race: Berit was 57 when she competed in 2007. 50 km (31 miles) Berit and her friend, Paddy were the 60th and 61st skiers to cross the finish line out of 61 competitors. https://fossavatn.is/en/urslitagrunnur-english/
Berit Engebretsen Kuykendall Memorial Video
Messages Sent to Berit
