Hazel Ramberg, 90, a longtime Tioga area resident, died at Trinity Medical Center in Minot early Monday morning, May 21, 2012.
Hazel Ramberg was born May 5, 1922, to Jens and Lilly (Cockings) Jensen in Bicker Township, rural White Earth. She was the youngest of six children. Hazel attended country school for eight years and graduated from Tioga High School as salutatorian in 1940.
Hazel married Ernest Ramberg on Jan. 1, 1941, in Bismarck. Ernest had enlisted in the Army and the couple lived in Bismarck, Fort Crook, Neb., Camp Lee, Va., and Abilene, Texas, before settling on their ranch southeast of Tioga, where they raised cattle and farmed. The couple had two daughters, Linda Gail and Marilyn Holly.
At the age of 49, Hazel returned to school and attended Trinity School of Nursing in Minot, becoming the first grandmother to graduate from the school. Hazel was director of nursing at Tioga Hospital for many years and served as the North Dakota State Supervisor of Health Care Review on quality control and Medicare. Hazel was also a registered nurse in Arizona where she and Ernest spent their winters for 23 years. Hazel was awarded life-saving plaques from Phoenix Local 493 and the Tempe Fire Department for her heroic efforts in saving the life of Ruth Thompson.
Hazel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tioga. She was an avid golfer and remained a member of the Tioga Country Club well into her 80s. Hazel had several hobbies; she enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, knitting and crocheting. Hazel was also an excellent quilter. She made quilts for her daughters, granddaughters and all of her great-grandchildren, and she was slowly working toward all of her extended family.
Hazel is survived by: her daughters, Linda (Richard) Schmidt, of Tioga, and Marilyn (Grant) Archer, of Williston; granddaughters, Jennifer Baumgartner, of Bismarck, Monica (Will) Chamley and Brenda (Brent) Collins, both of Williston; and eight great-grandchildren, Samantha and Jacob Baumgartner, Dylan, Alexis, Dominic, William and Charlie Chamley, and Evan Collins; two stepgrandsons, Sean and Seth (Jennie) Archer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband of 68 years, Ernest; infant granddaughter, Gwendolyn Gay Schmidt; grandson-in-law, Tucker Baumgartner; brothers, Raymond, Philip, John and Alfred Jensen; and sister, Melba Woolard.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 26, at 11 a.m., in First Lutheran Church, Tioga, with Pastor Sandy Anderson officiating.
Burial will be held Tuesday, May 29, at 1 p.m., at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.
Friends may call at Fulkerson Funeral Home of Tioga on Friday, from noon to 5 p.m., with family gathering at the funeral home at 5 p.m. for a family service, and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, family is suggesting donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Tioga.
Friends are encouraged to share condolences and memories with the family online at (www.fulkersons.com).