Ellen H Romsaas

Ellen H. Romsaas, 93, died December 5, 2010 at MedCenterOne in Bismarck, ND, after complications from a fall. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, December 10, at Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Wes Aardahl officiating. Burial will be held in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2pm – 9 pm Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Ellen was born January 7, 1917, to Elling and Minnie Westrum Stenson on the family farm north of Turtle Lake, North Dakota, along with her twin brother, Elmer. She and Elmer were baptized at home on February 2, 1917, even though the church was only a half mile away, because the church was too cold. It wasn't heated every day. They were confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Ellen was educated at the country school a mile and a half from home, where she later taught all eight grades. After graduating from Turtle Lake High School, Ellen served as secretary for the Rural Electric Cooperative in Garrison for several years, helping to bring electricity to McLean County. On September 1, 1946, Ellen married Dale M. Romsaas of Ryder, ND, and was his loving wife until his death in 1984. Ellen also taught school at the Blue Hill country school near Ryder for a year while Dale farmed with his father on the family farm. Over the next 30 years, her husband's work with Farmer's Union and Dakota Concrete Products took them to Garrison, Towner, Williston, Rapid City, Bismarck, and Jamestown, where they made many friends. Ellen worked at the State Capital in the Motor Vehicle Department. While in Jamestown, Ellen and Dale managed the Jameshouse Retirement Community and were active members of Atonement Lutheran Church. Ellen enjoyed caring for her beloved mother, Minnie, in her home until her mother was 98 years old. After her husband's death, Ellen moved to Bismarck to be near family and friends. Ellen loved to cook, bake, garden and can. She always had canned peaches, pears, and cherries on hand. She was known for her Norwegian spritz cookies, lefsa, krumkake, rosettes, and other Norwegian baked goods. Ellen loved people and loved to entertain and visit with her many friends and family members. She especially looked forward to the Westrum family reunions and stayed close with all her relatives. Even in her 90's, Ellen would send out 70 – 80 Christmas cards and letters. Ellen was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck, active in quilting, Friendship Circle, and Mary Martha Circle/Bible Study. Ellen is survived by two sons Dean Gloria of Buda, TX, and Lonnie Jennifer of Bismarck, one daughter, Audrey Thompson, Abilene, TX; one sister-in-law, Elsie Stenson, Marshall, MN; five grandchildren, Kirk Carol Romsaas and Jodi Loucks of Bismarck, Amber Engebretson of Austin, TX, Birgitta Michael Black, of Lubbock, TX, Addison Thompson, Abilene, TX; two great-grandsons, Michael Dale Black and Reed Lonnie Romsaas; and many nieces, nephews and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dale; four brothers, Harold, Alvin, Burnett, and twin Elmer; and sisters-in-laws Lillian and Violet. In lieu of flowers, Ellen preferred donations to Faith Lutheran Church.

Ellen H Romsaas

January 7, 1917 - December 5, 2010