Phyllis A. Ratcliff 1933-2024 Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Phyllis Ann Ratcliffe-Berg was born and raised on a farm near Fordville, North Dakota on May 30, 1933 and passed away February 5th, 2024 at the age of 90 at the Cooperstown Care Center holding the hand of who Phyllis called her “adopted” daughter, Janee. Phyllis was the daughter of Elwood and Ruth (Wilson) Ratcliffe. She attended and graduated from Fordville High School and attended college at the University of North Dakota where she graduated with a BA in 1956. She continued schooling at the University of North Dakota Law School and graduated with a L.L.B. and was admitted to the bar in 1958 as the only woman in her class. The first of many astounding accomplishments in her lifetime.
She married Ernest Senne on September 3, 1962 in Carson, ND. They later moved to Bismarck, ND. They had one son, Scott Senne. In 1968 she was elected State’s attorney for Watford City and became the first and only woman States Attorney in North Dakota at that time. She also was State’s Attorney at McKenzie County and Griggs County as well as the City Attorney for Watford City and Cooperstown. In 1974, Phyllis narrowly lost the race to become a Supreme Court Justice. When working she held the position of criminal defense attorney for Griggs and Eddie Counties and did conflict work with Barnes, Stutsman, Foster and Wells Counties. Phyllis was recognized for a 60-year career milestone and retired from law practice in May of 2018.
She married Merril Berg in 1983. Merril and Phyllis moved to Cooperstown, ND where they lived until Merril passed away in 2011. True to their loving relationship, Phyllis passed on the same day as Merril, just years apart.
Phyllis was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and several community organizations. One of her favorite pastimes was her time involved with the Griggs County Museum where she served on the board as well as volunteered. She loved to entertain and had ice cream socials at her house for many years. She made all homemade ice cream flavors. She hosted several fancy Christmas open houses at the office. She could be called the hat lady and had an extensive collection of hats. She loved being an attorney and helping people.
Phyllis is survived by her adopted daughter, Janee Brendemuhl of Hope, ND, Son, Dr. Scott (Linda) Senne of Lehigh Acres, Florida, a granddaughter Summer and Grandson Shiloh, her step daughter Linda (George) Zeigler of Big Springs, Texas, many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins and good friend Jan Steffen. She was preceded in death by her husband Merril Berg, her parents, sisters, Vivian (William) Matta and Dorothy (Juel) Smestad and step daughter Rene´ Mayers.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown, ND. Interment will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND at 12:00 pm Monday, February, 12, 2024.
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