Elaine Rose McGrath

Elaine passed peacefully at St. Catherine’s North (Rosewood on Broadway) in Fargo.

Elaine was born June 24, 1928, in Glen Ullin, North Dakota, the first child of Nina (Navratil) and Leon Berger. She was raised in Glen Ullin with her large extended family where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Glen Ullin High School.

She attended Milwaukee Downer College for Women in Milwaukee, WI for one year. She then transferred to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where she studied English, was a member of Tri Delta Sorority and met her future husband, Pat McGrath from Bemidji, Minnesota.

Elaine and Pat were married August 22, 1949, in Glen Ullin. From 1949 to 1955, they lived in Fargo, Grafton and Dickinson, North Dakota. They returned to Fargo where Pat worked for Butler Machinery. In 1964 Pat established Pat McGrath Inc., a heavy construction machinery business. Elaine was a homemaker, raised the children and entertained Pat’s clients.

She enjoyed her three children and was an active volunteer during their school years. She was a member of Nativity Catholic church, Elizabeth Seton Study Club, P.E.O, the Fine Arts Club, and the Fargo Country Club. Elaine enjoyed vacationing with family at Lake Melissa, Pelican Lake, and Colorado ski resorts. In her later years she enjoyed winters in Arizona and international travel. Most of all, Elaine loved hosting family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pat McGrath, her parents and her younger brother, Duane Berger. She is survived by her three children – Kathy (John) Mohn, Stan (Mindy Miranowski) McGrath, and Nina (Sean) Carroll. Elaine has eight grandchildren – Charlie, Annie, Patrick, Stephanie, Tom, Evelyn, and Julia, as well as seven great grandchildren, with one on the way.

With sincere gratitude, Elaine’s family would like to thank the people at St. Catherine’s North of Fargo and Hospice Red River Valley who beautifully cared for her during the final days of her journey.

Private family services will be held. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley and SMP Health – St. Catherine North of Fargo.