MARILYN JEAN RONDE

Marilyn Jean "Johnson" Ronde (86) was born to parents Elsie (Lockwood) and Jalmer Johnson on May 12, 1931, the 5th of 9 children. She was raised in Hope, ND, graduating with the Class of 1949! She met our Dad, Knud Ronde Jr. at a dance, and their love of dancing continued all through their married life! They could "polka" like no one else we knew. Mom and Dad were married January 8th, 1950, and one of the highlights of their honeymoon was needing to be rescued by a couple living near Oriska because they got caught in a snowstorm on their way home from St. Louis! During her lifetime, Mom became a farm wife, mother to 5 kids, a 25-year 4-H leader, along with retiring from the Hope School as a school cook for 25 years! She also cooked meals for kids during summers at Farmers Union Camp in which even some of her own grandchildren attended! Mom loved being around kids and spent many hours with her grandkids. Mom was famous (or so we think!) for her baking/cooking ability and she made the best home-made buns, caramel rolls and pie!! Her sewing talent was put to use for holidays and special occasions making new outfits for us kids. She made Cindy and Lisa's wedding gowns, along with many bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, both for family and friends. In her later years her love of sewing turned to quilts, many of which were entered into the Red River Valley Fair and receiving honors! While able, she also gifted her grandchildren with one of her quilt creations as they graduated from High School. Such keepsakes they are! In recent years Mom fell victim to the dreaded Alzheimers Disease. She passed away peacefully Friday, August 18 at the Sheyenne Care Center Cottage in Valley City,ND, surrounded by 2 of her daughters, Marcie and Lisa, and good friend and sister-in-law, Norma Ven Huizen. Mom is preceded in death by our Dad (her husband) Knud, her parents; brothers Les and Phil, and sisters Marge, Cathy, Shirley, Jan, and Ruth. She is survived by her brother Bob (Robert); her children Marcie Voss (Roland Haugen), Steve Ronde (Rocio), Cindy Wagner (Tim), Dana Ronde, Lisa Erickson (Larry); Sister-in-Law Norma Ven Huizen; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews! A celebration of Mom's life will be held on Saturday, August 26 at the Hope American Legion at 2:00 p.m. We love you Mom and know you are now "home" and happy with Dad and all your family and friends who have gone before you! Enjoy the dance with Dad and all the card games with everyone!