Jerald Maurice Ronningen, 86, formerly of Minot and Carpio, died Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the Benedictine Living Center, Garrison, North Dakota. He was born May 5, 1932 to Grace and Sigurd Ronningen of Carpio, North Dakota. Known as 'Jerry' to his fellow railroad switchmen and as 'Jim' to area farmers, he was usually called 'Jimmy' by the love of his life, Ruth Ronningen. It was through a lucky coin toss with a friend, that Jerald called "dibs" on Ruth Stenson, one of the new girls to Hartland, ND. Still hand in hand since the age of thirteen, the lovebirds celebrated 67 years of marriage on October 28, 2017.

He was schooled in Hartland and Carpio, graduating from Carpio High School in 1950. Following graduation, Jerald held a variety of jobs such as a door to door salesman and butcher prior to working 41 years as a switchmen at Gavin Yards for the Great Northern Railway in conjunction with farming family land in Carpio Township. In 1964, he moved Ruth and the kids ages 8-13 years to the family farmstead where he got them 4 plug horses (to play Bonanza characters such as Hoss and Little Joe), cattle for 4-H projects, chickens to chase and butcher, and chores such as milking cows, baling hay, picking rocks, chokecherries, and corn on the cob. All of these tasks were his fatherly life lessons on the importance of work. Off he would drive to Gavin Yards near Minot in the only family vehicle down the long dusty, gravel road leaving the kids to the chores and hijinks with Ruth to supervise.

Along with this hard work ethic, he dedicated time and leadership by serving on the Carpio School Board, Carpio Lutheran Church Board as well as Secretary of the Transportation Union. But most of all, family was important to Jerald. His mother Grace died when he was a mere seven years old which imprinted upon him the priority that family should hold. He was supportive and proud of his kids, their activities, accomplishments and later the grandchildren and great-grandchildren they gave to him. This love of family extended to non-relatives when he and Ruth became foster parents to Tod and Brian Hanson, sons of their good friends.

Many intangibles gifted to his offspring are hard work ethic, faith in God, service to others, and zest for life. Jerald had a contagious, knee slapping laugh that shook him like Santa's bowl full of jelly. Pinochle playing and fishing were staples throughout his life along with lake life at their "Rosebud" cabins in Deep Water Bay and Riverdale which provided fond memories for friends and family. Ever the master griller, a feast of steak or his freshly filleted walleye would be savored by guests followed by game time of whist or pinochle or his story telling of railroading days or that 'big fish that got away!' Later, Jerald would volunteer and share his love of fishing with the Lure 'Em For Life Program that introduced youth to the fishing experience.

Jerald and Ruth moved from the farm to Minot in 1989 with retirement from the railroad in 1993. Pinochle tourneys, railroad events, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and Lure 'Em for Life, attending church, and family times consumed his retirement days. They sold their Minot home in the fall of 2012 to move to Bismarck Edgewood Vista to be near Paul and Lori. They resided at Edgewood until May 2018 when they relocated to Garrison Benedictine Living Center in Garrison, North Dakota.

Memberships: Zion Lutheran Church, Former member of Carpio Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge, Carpio School Board (past president); Carpio Lutheran Churchboard, Switchman's Union (not UTU)

Survived by: wife: Ruth Ronningen; Children: Susan (Ervin) Opsal, Alamo, ND, Paul (Kristi) Ronningen, Bismarck, ND, Philip Ronningen, San Diego, CA, Lori Ronningen, Lincoln, ND, Tod Hanson, Florida and Brian Hanson, Los Angeles, CA; 9 Grandchildren: Lisa (Sjon) Zunich, Eric Opsal and Jesse (Sarah) Opsal all of Williston, ND, Kari (Scott) Wellnitz, Iowa City, IA, Maren (Josh) Stokka and Tait (Sami) Ronningen both of Bismarck, ND, Austin and Hannah Ronningen, San Diego, CA, Charles (Katie) Rostad, Billings, MT, and Anthony (Molly) Ereth, Lincoln, ND, 12 Great Grandchildren: Sophie and Trygve Zunich; Landon Opsal; Keyton, Halee, and Owen Opsal all of Williston, ND, McKinley and Canyon Stokka and Parker, Emma, and Henley Ronningen, all of Bismarck, ND and soon to be baby boy Ereth, Lincoln, ND.

Sisters: Joan Laumb, Berthold, ND, Patsy (Maynard) Anderson, Carpio, ND, Sister-in-law Shirley Richter, Thief River Falls, MN.

Preceded in death by: Parents, mother-in-law, Olive Stenson, stepbrother, Michael Brayson, and brother-in-laws Marlin Laumb and Roger Richter.

Celebration of Life Service: Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: At his request, there will not be a reviewal, however friends may sign the memorial register book on Monday, July 9 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Thomas Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be given to Lure 'Em for Life Fishing Program, Box 947, Bismarck, ND 58502 or .