Lori Ann Berry, the daughter of Ray and Linda (Berg) Berry, was born on October 17, 1975 in Fort Campbell, Ky. She died suddenly at the age of 36 on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, N.D.
Lori lived with her family in Crailsheim, Germany, the Minot Air Force Base and in Towner. She graduated from Towner High School. Following high school, Lori made Rugby her home. She attended Minot State University and later received her CNA. She worked for a short time at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby. Her health required that she take better care of herself, rather than others.
She had great compassion, always willing to give help to anyone anytime. Her happy-go-lucky personality helped her gain many friends and her wicked sense of humor and love, kept them. Although she was in poor health most of her life, Lori made the most of her issues. When many would give up, she kept trying and cheated death over and over. Her transplant in 2004 provided additional years in which she met the love of her life, Steve, and they built their life in Rugby. She and Steve liked to cook together, play games and make travel plans. Lori loved to create art, poetry and crafts.
Even through her own issues, Lori took great care of her mother, Linda, calling nightly to remind her about her medications. She provided her mom with friendship and companionship after the deaths of her father and grandmother.
Lori is survived by: her partner of six years, Steve Purdy, their dogs Lulu and JD; her mother, Linda Berry, of Towner; brothers, Raymond (Sonja), of Fargo, N.D., and Michael, of Towner, N.D.; nieces, Siri and Ingrid Berry (Raymond) and Tessa Horner (Michael); her Grandma Berry of Canton, Ohio; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ray; infant brother, Shane; maternal grandparents; paternal grandfather; aunts and uncles.
Memorials in Lori's memory can be sent to: The Lori Berry Memorial Fund, c/o North Star Community Credit Union, 241 Hwy 2 SE, Rugby, ND 58368.
Funeral Services: Will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Zion Lutheran Church in Towner, with burial in Union Cemetery in Towner and Pastor Linda Wimmer officiating.
Visitation: Will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Aug. 5, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Towner and will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the Church on Monday.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Towner.