Ronald Jens Gade was born on November 1, 1942, in Brush, Colorado and went home to meet his Savior on January 7, 2012, in Minot, North Dakota. He is the eldest of five children born to Milda Jensen Dahl Gade and Harold Severt Gade. He graduated from College High School, Greeley, Colorado, in 1960 and graduated from Colorado State College, Greeley, CO, in August of 1964, with a degree in Industrial Arts and a minor in music. He later attended Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota and received certification in Learning Disabilities.

Ron married Erica Jean Armstrong on March 28, 1970, in Houston, Texas. They made their home in rural Sawyer, North Dakota until moving to Minot in 1991. Ron was a faithful husband to his wife Erica and a loving father to their five children. He always encouraged them to love their God and Savior Jesus Christ and to serve Him in all that they did. He also encouraged them to love and serve the country God gave them. Ron served in the Army as a squad leader for a reconnaissance platoon (E Co. 4/12 199th LIB) while in Viet Nam (1968-69).

Ron spent many years teaching Industrial Arts, Earth Science and Special Education at several area schools, including Minot High, Dakota Boys Ranch, McClusky, New Town, South Prairie and Sawyer. He served as Administrator of Our Redeemer's Christian School for eleven years. He always encouraged his students to do their best in all that they did. His hobbies were hunting, construction, woodworking, coaching youth sports and cheering for the Denver Broncos. Ron taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on various boards at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Brethren Church. He was currently president of Minot Youth for Christ. He enjoyed his grandchildren and helping Erica plan special times for their family. Ron's latest project was designing and building his dream home called Liberty Hill in Sawyer. God, family and country were his priorities. Every day to Ron was a "beautiful, wonderful, glorious day."

He is survived by his wife, Erica; daughter, Grace (Pete) Youlden, and Olivia and Clara, of Moorhead, MN; son, Patton (Shari) Gade, and Tatum, Annalise and Maci Lynn of Fountain Hills, AZ; son, Major Daniel (Wendy) Gade, and AnnaGrace, William and Tyler of West Point, NY; daughter, Elizabeth (Nathan) Sato, and Alexander and Anastasia of Kansas City, MO; and son, Specialist Christopher (Kalle) Gade, and Grayson, of Olympia, WA. He is also survived by mother, Milda Gade, Canon City, CO; brother, Eugene (Muriel) Gade of Sundance, WY; brother, Dr. Wayne (Jean) Gade of Springfield, IL; brother, Dr. Glenn (Mary Anne Braymer) Gade of Denver, CO; sister, Barbara (David) Pruett of Canon City, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Harold Gade.

A Celebration of Life Service : Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. in Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church, Minot.

Booksinging: Monday, January 9, 2012 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Private family interment: North Dakota Veterans' Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Redeemer's Christian School or Minot Youth for Christ.