Lois Ann Ronan

With a twinkle in her eye, her legendary smile and a quick little wave, Lois Ronan entered into eternal rest on November 7, 2008 at the age of 84 after a long and brave struggle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Lois Ann (Gowan) Ronan was born on May 13, 1924 at West Oslo, North Dakota, the daughter of Roy Milton and Lilly (Clausen) Gowan. Lois attended Ferry District #10 for eight years and continued to Oslo High School graduating in 1942. She met her future husband Thomas H Ronan at the Minto Dance pavilion on their joint birthdays and were married on July 3, 1945. They made their home in Manvel where they started farming and through the years expanded their businesses to Ronan Airspray and Ronan Construction. Lois applied her keen intellect and aptitude for figures to the businesses as the head bookkeeper as well as a flagperson for Ronan Airspray. She was an active member of the community contributing her services to Merry Matrons Homemakers Club, Manvel Women's Club, Manvel Roughriders Snowcat Club, St. Timothy's Catholic Church and Manvel Community Center where she also assisted in the building and completion of the Center. Lois was extremely talented when it came to arts and crafts; making jewelry, hats made from pheasant feathers, sweatshirt and jacket appliqués just to mention a few. In later years, she applied her creative talents to oil painting. Her family cherishes each of those paintings which are found throughout the country and admired by all who were fortunate to have one and by all who have seen them. She loved flowers as her gardens always reflected. People would come from miles around just to see what combinations of riotous colors abounded from her flower beds. Left to mourn her passing are two daughters and sons-in-law: Peggy and Carl Hellerer of Jeffersonville, New York and Renaye and Gail Kjenstad of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Six Grandchildren: Dawn (John) Hauschild of Jeffersonville, New York, Jason (Melissa) Hellerer of Liberty, New York, Amanda Kuzel (Tyler Clauson) of Missoula, MT, Christian Kjenstad, Benjamin Kjenstad, Sussanna Kjenstad all of Grand Forks, ND Great Grandchildren: Collin Roy Hauschild, Gavin John Hauschild of Jeffersonville, NY Jarod Thomas Hellerer, Corrine Marie Hellerer of Liberty, NY and Trey James Clauson of Missoula, MT. Sisters: Leila (Orville) Farder, Elaine Farder, Lily Cayler-Gulas all of Grand Forks Brothers: Charles (Lola) Gowan of West Oslo, ND, Robert (Betty) Gowan of Minot, ND, James (Marge) Gowan of Mesa, AZ, Gary (Pat) Gowan of West Oslo, ND, Sisters-in-law: Eunice Gowan of West Oslo, ND, Kathleen Bakke of Thompson, ND and many cherished nephews, nieces, friends and caregivers. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her parents, Brothers Frank Gowan, Willis Gowan and Roy Gowan; sister Delores Jamison, sister-in-law Annabel Montgomery, brothers-in-law Perry Bakke and Elmer Montgomery and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Amundson's Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service following at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 Funeral Mass will be held at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Manvel, ND on Wednesday November 12, 2009 at 11:00 A.M.. Interment will be at St. Timothy's Cemetery.