Ernest Ramberg

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Ernest Ramberg, 92, of Tioga, died at the Tioga Long Term Care Center on Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2009, with his family at his side. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at First Lutheran Church in Tioga. Pastoral Assistant James Hamann will officiate. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan on Friday afternoon, May 1. Friends and relatives are encouraged to share memories and condolences with the family at (www.fulkersons.com).

Ernest H. Ramberg was born September 18, 1916, to Alfred and Gina (Aarhaus) Ramberg on the family farm in Dry Fork Township, Williams County, North Dakota. He was the youngest of six children. He attended Strom Country School for eight years and graduated from Tioga High School in 1934. Ernest was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethany Church south of Tioga and was active in the church, even participating in a singing group for several years. He helped on the family farm until August 1940 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sworn in to the Quartermaster Corps.

On January 1, 1941, Ernest was united in marriage to Hazel Jensen at Bismarck, North Dakota. They were married for 68 years.

Ernest was stationed at Fort Lincoln in Bismarck, where German Merchant Marines were imprisoned in 1941. The Army base was closed and he was transferred to Fort Crook, Nebraska. Ernest and Hazel spent their first year of marriage living on the base. They heard reveille every morning, call to quarters at bedtime, and went to sleep to taps. They were living at Fort Crook when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. They watched the base change from an open post to armed guards in just a few hours.

While at Fort Crook, Ernest was recommended for Officer Candidate School and went to Camp Lee, Virginia, and graduated in 1941 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served at Camp Barkley in Abilene, Texas, and went overseas in November 1943. He took part in the invasion of Europe and went in at Omaha Beach on D-Day +9. He crossed Europe serving in the 3815th Quartermaster Corps. He served in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and central Europe. He was awarded the European Theater of Operations Medal, and his Company received 5 Battle Stars. Ernest was very proud of the time he spent serving his country overseas. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in December 1945. He organized a reunion for his Company in 1996. He played an active role in getting a plaque the 3815th Quartermaster Corps Gas Supply Company displayed at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. He is also a part of the talking World War II Memorial, which is located in the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck, talking about his memories of his military service.

After his discharge from the service, Ernest and Hazel made their home south of Tioga. The couple farmed small grains and raised cattle. They spent their winters in Tempe, Arizona, where Ernest participated in jam sessions and pool tournaments. For several years, Ernest was a part of a band called the "Lenders and the Spenders" with Arnold Krogen, Duane "Torgy" Torgerson and LeRoy Lokken. While Torgy was a policeman in Tioga, they were known as the "The Farmers and the Fuzz". The group played for many community events and never charged for playing.

In September 1956, Ernest, along with several others, founded the White Earth Saddle Club. He was a proud member of the Saddle Club for more than 50 years. The first rodeo was held in 1957. Ernest once said, "I'm glad we bought this quarter of land in 1957. This has got to be one of the prettiest spots in the state. It's a good place to come on Father's Day." He was also a Trustee of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. He served on the Tioga Hospital Board and was a member of the Tioga Country Club. He was also helpful in organizing the Tioga Farm Festival. Ernest and Hazel were Grand Marshalls of the parade one year. He was a member of the Tioga American Legion and the VFW. He was a lifetime member of the Battle of the Bulge Organization.

Ernest is survived by: his wife Hazel, of Tioga, ND; daughters, Linda (Richard) Schmidt of Tioga, ND, and Marilyn (Grant) Archer of Williston, ND; granddaughters, Jennifer (Tucker) Baumgartner of Bismarck, ND, Monica (Will) Chamley and Brenda (Brent) Collins both of Williston, ND; eight great-grandchildren, Samantha and Jacob Baumgartner, Dylan, Alexis, Dominic, William and Charlie Chamley, and Evan Collins; stepgrandsons, Sean and Seth Archer; three stepgreat-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Gina; brothers, Lawrence, Joel, George and Sylvester; sister, Ruby Pearson; and granddaughter, Gwendolyn Gay Schmidt.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials to be sent to the Anne Carlsen Center for Children, 701 3rd Street NW, Jamestown, ND 58401 or at (www.annecenter.org).

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Tioga today, April 28, from noon to 6 p.m., on Wednesday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to noon, and an hour prior to services at the church.