GERHARD RONHOLM

GERHARD RONHOLM Gerhard Ronholm, 94, Finley, ND died Friday, August 21, 2015 in the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND, where he had been a resident since May. Gerhard was born June 16, 1921 in Finley, Twsp. Steele Co., ND the son of Peder and Haldre (Saterbo) Ronholm. He grew up and attended rural school near Finley, ND and attended Finley High School. Gerhard served in the US Marines from January 1945 to the end of 1946 during WWII. He served in Okinawa Japan. In 2007, he had the opportunity to attend one of the WWII Honor Flights to Washington DC. After the war, he began farming the family farm in east of Finley in 1949. He married Tema Peterson of Edmore, September 27, 1952. She passed away in 1963. While living on the farm, Gerhard raised cattle and raised crops. He kept the farm immaculate and his machinery tip top working order. He liked to tinker in his shop, bowl and hunt. In fact, he shot a bear in Canada, although he went there to hunt moose! Gerhard served on the Finley Township board and as a trustee for the Ostervold Lutheran Church. He was a member of Peterson-Olson American Legion Post #13 in Finley, ND for 64 years and the VFW in Fargo. Gerhard enjoyed dancing. In fact, he met Marion (Lyste) Bakken at a dance. They were married April 18, 1970 and Marion and the children joined Gerhard on the farm. One of Gerhard’s greatest joys was when the children and grandchildren came to the farm. The couple traveled to Norway in 1985. Retiring in 1987 they continued to make their home on the farm until 2009 when they moved into Finley. He is survived by his, Wife, Marion, Mayville, ND; step children; Audrey (Steve) Neva, Finley, ND, Mylo (Gayle) Bakken, Bismarck, ND, Myron Bakken, Fargo, ND, Ardel (Randy) Fugleberg, Hope, ND, Rodney (Rachelle) Bakken, Bismarck, ND; Sisters, Ida Norgaard, Tucson, AZ, Gudrun Pladson, Hatton, ND; step grandchildren, Lisa Midstokke, Lindsey (Brent) Hysjulien, Matthew (Rachael) Neva, Derek (Betsy) Bakken, Mindy (Andy) Dombrovski, Amy (Pat) Cunningham, Jessica Syverson, Carly (Lee) Schiesser, Geoffrey (Alyssa) Bakken, Nicholas (Stephanie) Fugleberg, Angela (Brett) Sovak, Jeremy (Sam) Fugleberg; Jordan, Joshua and Jacob Bakken; step great grandchildren, Ryne and Tyler Midstokke, Abigail, Mattea, Hadley and Elleri Hysjulien, Macie, Morgon, Remington and Reese Neva, Alli and Samuel Dombrovski, Kaylee, Lucas, and Sophie Cunningham, Natalie Syverson, Maia, Sydney, Owen, Preston and Julia Schiesser, Ryder and Cody Fugelberg, Amelia Sovak; nephews Perry Ronholm, Dennis Ronholm, Dale (Denise) Norgaard, Gary (Dorene) Hanson; nieces, Debbie (Kerry) Anderson, Janice (Dennis) Finnell, Carol Lande. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peder and Haldre; wife, Tema, brothers, Haldor, Alph; sister, Helen Olson; nephew, Dennis Norgaard and niece Darlene Johnson. Funeral services will be, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 1:30 pm in the Finley Lutheran Church, Finley, ND. Visitation will be one hour before services in the Church. Interment will be in the Ostervold Cemetery.