Dorothy Byberg Regnerus

Dorothy Mary Rood was born on February 22, 1914 in Chasely, ND, the daughter of Dan Oliver and Anna (Gunderson) Rood. She attended grade school in Bowdon, ND before moving near Park Rapids, MN. The family then moved to rural Valley City, ND. Dorothy graduated from Valley City High School in 1929 and then worked as a nanny in the Valley City area. She attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. On June 13, 1937, she was united in marriage to Bjarne Byberg in Valley City, where they made their home. The couple managed the Lutheran Home in Valley City before opening and operating the Bible Book Store and Gift Shop. After a second bout of tuberculosis, she began taking college courses at Valley City State College, as part of her rehabilitation. She continued taking classes and graduated in 1965, alongside her son, Marlo. Following her college education, she began teaching at Valley City High School. She taught art there from 1965 until retiring in 1993. During her tenure at Valley City High School, she was named as Teacher of the Year. Bjarne passed away on December 17, 1972. July 27, 1987, she married Menzo Regnerus. They made their home in Valley City. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Dorothy was always a very active woman, she belonged to and supported several organizations, including; National Art Education Association, National Education and State Association, Business and Professional Women, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Menzo Regnerus of Valley City; children, Marlo (Bonita) Byberg of New Rockford, ND, Barbara (Gary) Larson of Moorhead, MN, and Brenda (Steve) Metcalf of Grand Forks, ND; step-children, Gloria (Jim) Campbell of Grand Rapids, MI and Pam Regnerus of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Tamara (Matt) Kautzer, Michael (Erica) Larson, Trisha (Tom) Walsh, Trent (Lori) Byberg, Kevin Larson, Christine (Matt) Myrvold, Travis (Jodi) Byberg, Emily Metcalf, Andrea Metcalf; step-grandchildren, Paul Campbell and Bradford Campbell; great grandchildren, Keith Larson, Bridget Walsh, Kamden Richardson, Nathan Larson, Kenzie Richardson, Jack Byberg, Jacob Walsh, Hunter Byberg, Clara Kautzer, and Baylee Byberg; sisters, Olive Olstad of Valley City and Clara (Axel) Pedersen of Valley City; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Bjarne; brothers, Harold Rood and Dan “Bud” Rood; sisters, Ilene Bonde, Amanda Rood and Alice Rood; and nephew, Rickey Rood.

Dorothy Byberg Regnerus

February 22, 1914 - March 30, 2009