Alta Brokke
May 25, 1915 ~ March 7, 2014
Alta Brokke, age 98, died Friday March 7, 2014 at Manor Care in Fargo.
Alta Bernice Rodella Thompson was born on May 25, 1915 to Anton & Bessie (Johnson) Thompson on a farm located between Nielsville, MN and Cummings, ND. She worked the fields with her father and with neighbors of Bingham Township, ND. On November 30, 1939, Alta was married to Harry Brokke. Together they owned and operated the Corner Café in Climax, MN until 1944 when they moved to Grand Forks, ND and began operating Brokke Grocery, a small neighborhood grocery store on Cottonwood Street. In 1961, they sold the grocery store and purchased the Travalon Motel located on Hwy 10 between Moorhead and Dilworth, MN. They operated the Travalon until 1975, when Harry passed away.
Alta had resided in her condo across from Fargo’s Island Park since 1975 until she broke her hip in December of 2011. She has resided at Manor Care in Fargo since.
Alta loved to dance, play cards and bingo, bake and fish. She was known for being extremely lucky when playing cards or bingo and when fishing, she always caught the largest fish!
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, daughter Ginnette, sisters Mabel Thompson and Joyce Erickson; brothers Raymond Thompson, Maurice Thompson and Albert Thompson.
Alta is survived by sons Kevin Brokke and Keith (Lynne) Brokke; granddaughters Nicholle Brokke and Sara (Ben) Hosch; and great grandchildren Adelaide & Emery Hosch.
Alta’s family wishes to thank Manor Care for making Alta feel “at home” while in their care.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
South Point OHI just wanted to tell Kevin, Keith and his family that my thoughts and prayers have been with them since I heard of their mother’s passing.
Warm memories flood my mind when I think of our visits to your parent’s home growing up. It was always fun to visit. Thanks for all the fun playing miniature golf and driving balls on the range. Alta was always so sharp in her mind and body. Your parents were always so kind and friendly. It has been several years since I’ve seen you folks, but I am thankful for the loving home you grew up in and my prayers are with you in the days ahead.
Your friend,
Dan Brokke
Goleta CAAlta was such a lover of life, and she outlived all of the Brokke uncles and aunts of our parents’ generation. She was a great baker, and I always remember her Norwegian baking at Christmastime. I still have and use her recipes.
My deepest sympathy for your great loss.
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. I still remember having lunch at your home at noon during grade school season, she was a great cook. Take care.
Passing along our condolences to Keith Brokke and all his family.
Simi Valley CADear Brokke Family, I was deeply saddened when Keith informed me of Alta’s passing only a few hours earlier on Friday morning. Alta was a special aunt to me and my brother Ronnie. She always would play cards with us when our families got together, and was cheerful and fun to be around.
I was amazed that she could continue to play cards and dance even into her 90’s. I was hoping to visit her again this summer, but unfortunately that now willl not happen. Harry was a great brother to my mom and I know that Alta is now with Harry, my dad Conrad, mom Lillian, and brother and sister, Ronnie and Linda in Heaven. Rest in Peace Alta.
houston txI have so many wonderful memories of
Alta and Harry. When I was quite young,
I remember all the fun sleepovers at their home that always included Saturday Night Drive-In Movies with gobs of popcorn and one of a kind “Alta snacks”.
Speaking of——-Who could ever forget Alta’s very special one of a kind homemade doughnuts–I actually think I can still taste them. Also, I especially remember those annual reunions at the lake highlighted by Harry recording movies of Alta in her bathing suit, (also remember the year Mabel lost part of hers).
In later years, I remember Alta and Joyce and my mom and dad having so much fun staying up all night many a night playing cards and enjoying casino life together.
Alta was quick at everything she did, and many years ago while my dad was visiting her in Fargo, she saved his life with her quick thinking.
My mom and dad loved Alta so much–their families were all quite the group in their day.
And my dear aunt was truly one of a kind and so very very special…
Much Love to Keith, Lynne, and Kevin from our family
Warren MiI send my condolences to my cousins
Keith and Kevin. I will always remember Aunt Alta fondly. She was a kind and a happy person. We were fortunate to visit her in the fall of 2011 when she was still in her apartment and doing well. We went over a lot of family photos that evening after dinner and enjoyed a lot of memories and laughs together. I know that she with the Lord now.
Love, Marilyn
The Villages FLI always enjoyed visits with Aunt Alta even though they were infrequent because we lived so far away. The last time she visited us in Detroit we went to Greenfield Village & walked on stilts using toys of yesteryear. She was such a fun person. I regret not visiting her in Fargo in recent years
Sterling Heights MII remember Alta as always being so full of fun, and she and my mom giggling over some incident they remembered.
Our hearts go out to your family.
NChas SCDear Brokke family,
Please accept my deep regrets for your loss though you don’t know me. I lost my whole family to this enemy death that always brings pain and grief but I found comfort and hope in what Jehovah Gods word the Bible says at John11:11 that they’re just asleep and Jesus tells us at John5:28,29 that we’ll see our love ones again and we have the promise that this enemy death will be done away with at ICor15:26 and this helps me to get through each day and I truly hope these scriptures have helped you in some way for this is my purpose in sharing this with you. Please know that I do share your grief.
Sincerely, Gloria