Kip Trygve Berentson

Kip Trygve Berentson (1SG retired), Fargo, ND passed away under the care of Sanford Hospice on Sunday June 14, 2026 at SMP St. Catherine’s South Health Care facility from a rare military service related eye cancer and pancreatic cancer, a result of his dedication and sacrifice during his active duty career. It is fitting that he passed away on the US Army’s 251st birthday.

Kip was born November 23, 1955 in Bottineau, ND to Trygve and Berdie (Korman) Berentson. He grew up on a farm west of Newburg and graduated from Newburg High School in 1974.

At the age of 18 he enlisted in the US Army. During his 21 year career as an Atomic Demolitionist and an Army Combat Engineer, he served three tours in Germany, (Stuttgart, Berlin, and Bayreuth) and was also stationed at various US Army Installations including Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri; Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana; Ft. Riley, Kansas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1990, he was deployed to S.W. Asia in support of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Kip retired as a First Sergeant in 1996. Kip was also proud of the fact that in his immediate family his father, himself, a daughter, a son, two sons-in-law, a grandson, and a granddaughter also served in the military. Their service included the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines Corps. Combined they have served over 100 years and counting. It has been a great honor and privilege to have been a part of the United States military.

Medals that Kip earned included Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement, S.W. Asian Service Medal, Humanitarian Service, Kuwait Liberation, French Commando Badge, and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, among others.

On October 29, 1977 he married Barbara Eva Kuntz at Orrin, ND. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Rolanda Deeds, (Eric), Manhattan, Kansas and their children Emily and Alexander; Alysia Campani, (Jeff), Grand Forks, ND, and their children Reid, Lucia, and Dominic; and Lance (Nicoleta) Berentson, Minot, ND and their children Taylor, Addison, Lana, and Cristina.

In 1996 Kip retired from the US Army and moved his family to Fargo, ND. While in Pittsburgh, PA, he attended The Dean Institute of Technology and completed a welding course. He went on to work at Mid America Steel and Case IH in Fargo. He ended his working career at the Fargo Post Office as a city carrier.

He enjoyed deer hunting and large mouth bass fishing. You could find him relaxing at Brewer Lake whenever he had the chance.

Kip is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and three sisters, Gwen Wall (Ron) and Jan Nahinurk (Dwight) of Bottineau, ND and Mae Berentson of Kalispell, Montana.