Evelyn Thomforde

Evelyn G. Thomforde, 93, formerly of Parkwood Place, Grand Forks, ND died Friday, June 10, 2011 in Valley Memorial Home Eldercare, Grand Forks. Evelyn (Ramstad) Thomforde was born in Crookston, MN on April 14, 1918, the daughter of George H. and Emma A. (Ohman) Ramstad, lifelong residents of Crookston. Evelyn graduated from Crookston High School and attended classes at the Northwest Agricultural College. Evelyn worked as a bookkeeper for the former George Peter grocery store in Crookston. Evelyn and Clifford Thomforde were married June 11, 1941, in her parent's home. The couple lived on the west coast, first in Portland, OR, then in San Francisco, CA, before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for six years. Evelyn and family came to Grand Forks, ND in 1947, with the appointment of Cliff to the teaching faculty at UND. Evelyn was baptized and later became a member of the United Methodist Church in Crookston. Upon her arrival in Grand Forks, she joined the Wesley United Methodist Church in 1947. She was actively involved with the United Methodist Women holding the office of president. She was honored by receiving the "Jewel of Woman" award. She will be remembered for her bazaar planning, serving meals at the church and for baking hundreds of biscuits for the church's Turkey-a-Ia King dinner, as well as her involvement in the Sarah Faith Circle. Evelyn was also a member of the N.D. Dames Club and a 50 year member of Chapter AI of PEO. When her children were young, she was an active member of PTA and a Girl Scout leader for many years. Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Jacqueline Spillum, of Huron, SD, and Kathleen Longmuir (Gordon), of Youngstown, Ohio; son, Dale (Jan), of Rochester, MN; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Robert (Gloria) Ramstad of Gary, MN, and Donald (Shirley) Ramstad of Sacred Heart, MN, and many nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford; parents, George and Emma Ramstad, and a sister, Dorothy (and Jerry) Dahlberg, all from Crookston, and son-in-law Bruce Spillum of Huron, SD. The family would like to thank the staff at Parkwood Place, Altru Hospice and Valley Eldercare. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at Wesley United Methodist Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service in the church. Evelyn will be interred at 3:00 PM in the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston with her husband, parents, grandparents and other family members. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Wesley United Methodist Memorial Fund.