Lillian Ringstrom

Lillian Margaretha Ringstrom, 82, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, October 2, 2011 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was born January 16, 1929, in Starkweather, North Dakota, the daughter of Knute and Margaret (Thiessen) Olsen. She attended country school in Cato Township, and then Devils Lake High School, graduating in 1947. She earned her WWII Teacher’s Certificate from the North Dakota Education Association in Minot, North Dakota in 1948. On December 21, 1947, she married Norman Philip Ringstrom at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. They lived in Devils Lake until 1964, in Jamestown, North Dakota from 1964 – 1973, and then moved to Fergus Falls in 1973. Norman passed away in 2005. Lillian was a homemaker, but also worked at several jobs over the years, including as a waitress and coat check at the Elks Club and The Ranch Restaurant in Devils Lake in the 1950’s, as a medical receptionist/clerk at Lake Region Clinic from 1960-1964, and as a medical receptionist at Depuy Sorkness Clinic from 1964-1973. She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she was an active member of the Hannah Circle and also a Christ Care group, and also belonged to the VFW Auxiliary and the Sons of Norway. Lillian had a strong Christian faith, and shared that faith on mission trips to Mexico when she was in her 70’s. She served as Secretary/Treasurer of the U.S.S. Converse Association Reunions. She was a reader with the Lion’s Reading for the Blind program, and previously volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Lillian had many hobbies and interests, including bowling and golfing, was an excellent cook and seamstress, and an avid bridge player. She loved watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins, and enjoyed nature, as an avid birder. Time spent visiting with her grandchildren and family and friends brought her much joy.  She loved to travel to see them all, and would also go to Arizona each winter to spend time with her sister, Iris. Preceding her in death were her husband, Norman; her parents, Knute and Margaret Olsen; and her siblings: Rosa, Viola, Esther, Fern, John, and Gladys. Survivors include her children: Bruce (Anita) Ringstrom of Detroit Lakes, Robert (Barbara) Ringstrom of Sartell, Philip (Marcia) Ringstrom of Sartell, and Karen (Braden) Canfield of Plymouth; eleven grandchildren: Bruce (Gwen), Brian, Bradley, Britt, Paul and Annie Ringstrom, Erika (Joshua) Jordan, Krista (Michael) Schmitz, Alex (Casey) Funk, Margaret Funk, and Connor Canfield; two great-grandchildren: Eva and Xander Funk; and a sister, Iris (George) Ziegler of Butte, ND. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, cousins, and family friends. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag Interment: First Lutheran North Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.