Muriel Kolina (Slinden) Berge, age 90, died on Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 at Infinia Healthcare Center in Faribault.

She was born in Meeker County, Minn., on April 18,1912, to Ole and Helga Slinden. She spent her early years on a farm southeast of Atwater, Minn.

She attended rural District #4 and graduated from Atwater High School in 1931. She was one of two surviving members of the class that celebrated its 71st reunion this summer. Interested in a career in nursing, she enrolled in the program at Litchfield Hospital which was affiliated with the University of Minnesota. She completed the registered nursing program in 1934. Starting at Litchfield Hospital in 1934, she also worked as a private duty nurse in the area.

She was united in marriage on June 20,1936, to Harold Berge from Greenleaf, Minn. They spent several years farming near Litchfield, Chanhassen, and Belle Plaine before moving to Hopkins in 1942. She continued her nursing career working for the Blake Clinic in Hopkins from 1948 to 1957. After moving to Albert Lea in 1957, where her husband was employed by Streaters, she worked as a nurse in the Albert Lea Medical Clinic into the early seventies.

Muriel was active in PTA activities in Hopkins and church circle activities in Albert Lea. She and her husband had been members of Grace Lutheran Church for 45 years.

Muriel loved to read, play cards, sew, and host family gatherings. An outstanding cook, family members relished the meals she prepared at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her knowledge of family history and events became the encyclopedia that family members depended on to fill in the gaps and provide missing information. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a special joy in her life.

She is survived by two children: Dr. Richard and Phyllis Berge of Faribault, and Jeanne and Dr. James Fillbrandt of Bakersfield, Calif.; five grandchildren: Robin Berge Salter, Becky Berge Hammel, Richard Berge Jr., Betsy Berge, and Matthew Fillbrandt; eight great-grand children; brothers: Harland Slinden of Grove City, Minn., and Donald Slinden of Atwater, Minn.; sisters: Violet Lind of Fridley, Minn., and Bernice Slinden of Atwater, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents; and one brother, Orwell.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Grace Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, with the Rev. Jon Henriksen officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. A service of committal will be conducted at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Atwater, Minn., at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon with burial at Bethlehem Cemetery, Atwater. The Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials preferred to Grace Lutheran Church Elevator Fund, Bethlehem Lutheran Church Elevator Fund, or Faribault Area Hospice program.