Thomas Michael Rambur

Thomas Michael Rambur, 84, died February 6, 2016 at Sanford Health in Bismarck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 12:30 PM at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck with Rev. Jared Johnson officiating. Burial will at the ND Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 – 9:00 PM and Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Tom was born December 14, 1931, in Mandan, North Dakota, the son of Frank and Helen (Kuntz) Rambur. Tom grew up on the south side of Mandan and graduated from Mandan High School in 1949. He met is soul mate, Evangeline (Vangie Huck), in high school and married her on October 16, 1950. After his honorary discharge from the military in 1952, Tom and Vangie made their home in Bismarck where they raised their two children. The Ramburs were a fun-loving family with neighborhood parties, dancing, sledding, ice skating, and you name it. Tom was always willing to do something with his kids. An important part of life was the yearly vacations and road trips to Glacier, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Detroit Lakes. After the kids were grown, they continued to travel, especially to Reno for the night life and Yakima, Washington, where Vangie could visit her cousins. Many summer weekends were spent at Lake Isabelle with extended family and friends, with Tom pulling those who were willing to try water skiing. The family so loved their time at Lake Isabelle that Vangie insisted on buying their own permanent lake home at Lake Tschida where Tom and Vangie ultimately retired during the summer months and Tom was able to sit on the porch swing and relax. Other hobbies included going out to area clubs for dinner, dancing and bingo. Tom was a member of the American Legion for 50+ years. Tom and Vangie were married for 51 years. Tom’s first job was with the Northern Pacific Railroad, and in 1955, he found his calling as a machinist for the Mandan Amoco Oil Refinery at the age of 24. Tom retired from the Refinery after 36 years of service. In 2001, Tom lost his beloved Vangie and life became very difficult especially with his failing vision. Family, friends, and very special neighbors stood by him during those difficult times, which allowed him to remain in his home for several years. Often this help involved taking him to the local casino where Tom loved to try his luck. Tom also loved spending time at the AmVets Club playing bingo until his heath worsened. In 2009, Tom knew he could not continue to take care of his home and moved to Touchmark Assisted Living in Bismarck. This is where he met his new special friend Jean Jordan “Jeanie”. This relationship brought two families together where new friendships were formed. The past year, Tom was living at the Sanford Care Center in Mandan where he could be close to Jean. Tom is survived by his daughter, Victoria (Lippert) of Mandan; his son, Stephen Rambur of Burlington, Vermont; four grandchildren, Jessica, Abraham, Shawna, and William; many special nieces and nephews, cousins and James J. Wetsch who was like a brother to Tom. Tom’s family would like to say a special thanks to the many caregivers he had in these past years and to Dr. Crichlow for her caring and compassion and the Sanford staff on 4th floor NE. The family prefers memorials to the Veterans Cemetery. Tom will be deeply missed by his family and friends.