Eileen Brekke

Helen Eileen (Gjerstad) Brekke, age 89 of Grafton, ND passed away Friday, May 2, 2025 with her family by her side.

Eileen was born May 15, 1935, in Grafton, ND to Alfred and Alma (Peterson) Gjerstad.  She grew up in Minto, ND and attended school there. After graduating high school, she worked for a period of time as a bank teller in Grafton.  She was united in marriage to Elton Brekke on June 14, 1958 at Grafton Lutheran Church.  Eileen’s life was very full and rewarding with their farming operation and raising five children.  When the kids were grown, she pursued a life goal and attended the University of North Dakota and obtained her degree in Visual Arts.

Elton and Eileen enjoyed winters RVing and upon their retirement from farming in 1996, they split their time between their homes on the Rainy River in Baudette, MN and their home in Yuma, AZ.  They eventually became permanent residents of Arizona and remained there until their recent return to Grafton.  Eileen enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, baking, painting and woodworking, traveling, volunteer work, and their beloved mini dachshunds.

She is survived and will be missed greatly by her children: Jenny (Greg) Baumgartner, Shelly (Jerry) Bell, Carol Brekke, Leslie Brekke, and Elton (Karen) Brekke; grandchildren: Jesse (Mackenzie) Suda, Shae Suda, Ryan (Chelsea) Baumgartner, Emily (Andrew) Allen, and Jacob (fiancé Bethany Stoley) Brekke; nine great-grandchildren and sister Dorothy.  Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Burton Gjerstad, and infant great-grandson Alexander Suda.

A private ceremony will be held in the near future.  Memorials preferred to the Grafton American Legion Auxiliary and Park River Bible Camp.