Thief River Falls – Beverly Ranum, 85, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, with her loving family by her side.
Beverly Jo Ann Austad was born July 17, 1937 to Jorgen and Carolyn (Rupprecht) Austad. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls where she was a lifelong member. Bev fondly reminisced about growing up on Main Street with her cousins and friends. She attended Northrop Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School.
Beverly was united in marriage to Larry Anderson and had two sons, Rory and Kevin.
On September 5, 1958, Beverly was united in marriage to Dale Ranum at Zion to which three children were born: Jodi, Joel and Brian. At 24, a mother of five, Bev dedicated herself to caring for her home and family placing their needs before her own which were few. Out of love this brood was raised with a firm hand, the same hand that comforted and defended them when needed. Her house, husband and children where always in order right down to their ironed jeans.
During this early time Bev found some evening relaxation by drinking coffee and sneaking smokes on the neighbor ladies’ porches and Bev bowled in the Moonbeam league Wednesday nights. She had a standing date to go dancing with Dale on Saturday nights. She was a member of the VFM, Legion and Eagles Auxiliaries.
Once a summer she threw a huge family shindig on the 4th of July or the Aquacade where all gathered to watch the water show, boat races and fireworks from her front row seat on the bank of the Red Lake River where she lived till passing.
Once all her kids were in school Bev worked as an educational assistant first at Franklin Middle School with Arlys, Della, Faye and Bobbie; ending her more than two decade long career at Lincoln. Tens of thousands of children passed through those halls through the years to the smell of their morning burnt toast at breaktime. They knew they ran the school: just ask them. In the attendance office with a nose for nonsense (BS), she offered no quarter to violators unjustly seeking an “excused” tardy or absence slip while still reserving care and compassion for the legitimate.
Bev supported all the kids’ activities, music, drama, academia, and sports; but she’s most known for raising a family of skaters. Bev pridefully followed the children and grandchildren at the rink, on the radio or TV, or on the internet. She was the honorary coach of Grandma B’s Hockey Team made up of her progeny for the All-Class Reunion Tournament in TRF which she stated was a true high point in her life. She tracked all 28 (soon to be 29) grand and great-grandkids and always had a card with some “Gramma fold” money in it for them on their birthday.
Bev enjoyed visiting over coffee, playing cards on occasion, and working on her crossword puzzles, daily. You learned not to call her during Jeopardy, if you want an answer; and if she had the final Jeopardy answer, you heard about it. You wanted her on your Trivial Pursuit team. She seldom missed Judge Judy and loved classic movies.
Beverly is survived by five children, Rory (Helen) Anderson of Grygla, Kevin (Jeanne Steiner) Anderson of Bismarck, ND, Jodi (Tom) Bendickson of Thief River Falls, Joel (Karen) Ranum of Grygla, and Brian (Sheila) Ranum of Spring Lake Park; grandchildren, Keith (Marcela) Anderson, Kyle (Carrie) Anderson, Robby (Angie) Anderson, Nash Anderson, Kallie Anderson, Rachel Anderson, Kelly (Steve) Gaida, Aaron (Erica) Bendickson, Sean (Ashley) Ranum, Dana (Nicolaas) Jacobs, Micah (Bailey) Ranum, Baily Jo (Clint) Kempf, Jorde (Danielle) Ranum; great-grandchildren, Logan, Bentley, Camilla, Cooper, Marley, Spencer, Weston, Luke, Owen, Noah, Leni, Mason, Chase, Riley; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale; grandson, Christopher Ranum; parents; sister, Marlene Cecka; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at church. Burial will follow at Rindal Cemetery, rural Viking.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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