Lucille Theodora Bronson

Lucille Rykken Bronson, 96, of Grand Forks, ND, died August 19, 2016 at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks.      Lucille was born on Nov. 23, 1919 in Chippewa Falls, WI, to Rev. Albert Rykken and Sigrid Gynild Rykken.  She attended school in Adrian, MN, and graduated from high school in Palermo, ND. She and sister Marjorie started nurses training at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis in 1941, completing it in 1944. She joined the US Army Nurse Corps as Second Lieutenant, served in France during the last year of WWII, and was discharged as First Lieutenant in March, 1946.    She entered the University of Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor's degree.  In 1948 she moved to Denver where she worked at Denver General Hospital, then at General Rose Memorial Hospital. While at Rose she earned a Master's degree at Denver University. She met Dr. Howard Bronson and they were married in 1966. At Rose she became Director of Nurses, a position she held until she retired. In 2001 she moved to Grand Forks.    Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and by four siblings: Marjorie Rykken, Dorothy Wattman, Reyden and Franklyn Rykken. She is survived by brother David (Jan) of Coon Rapids, MN, stepson James Bronson of Oregon, stepdaughters Karen (partner Dale Peterson) Bronson, and Nancy (Roger) Mutz of the Denver area. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, many cousins and special friend, Lucy Bonlie.     Lucille's friends found her remarkable for her strong Christian faith, her kindness and her generosity. She was active in the Lutheran church and supported many causes she believed in.     A celebration of Lucille's life will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 520 University Ave., Grand Forks, ND, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3 with visitation one hour prior to the service.