Donald Lawrence Ranum

Donald Lawrence Ranum also known by friends and family as “Don” or “Donnie” his favorite title being “Papa” or “Grandpa”, was born March 13, 1945 in Johnston’s Maternity Home in Stanley, ND to Oral & Barbara (Austad) Ranum. He married Roberta Baker on September 13, 1975 in Parshall, ND. From this union were three children: Gerald “Jerry”, Brandi and Tessa.                                                                  

Growing up, he lived in Palermo, Sanish and Stanley where he graduated from high school in 1963.

After high school he attended NDSSS in Wahpeton. He graduated in 1965 with an associates degree in Electronics Technology.                                                                                                                          

After college he moved to Conroe, TX and worked for Independent Exploration. He joined the US Navy in January 1966 and served until he was honorably discharged on October 1, 1969.

While in the Navy he was stationed in Pennsylvania where he went to Boatswain’s Mate Training School.

Stationed in Alameda, CA he was ranked as ABH3. While there he worked for an independent airline for the US government. He continued working for them through his discharge when he moved to Kansas City, MO to start a new office for the airline where they worked with cargo planes. He was there until 1971 when he moved back to North Dakota. In November 1971 he took a position with the Reservation Telephone Cooperative in Parshall, as a Combination Technician, working his way up to Plant Manager and also serving on the AT&S Board until his retirement in July 2002.

After retirement they moved to the Grand Forks/Fargo areas where he worked for Industrial Contract Services (ICS) as Quality Control Manager on the East Grand Forks Levee Phase II Project.  They moved to Bismarck in 2005 where he worked various jobs for Finley Engineering, Molstad Excavating, Bismarck Parks & Recreation and KCM Services.

Don was an active member of the Parshall United Church of Christ serving on various committees and boards. He was active in the community serving as an EMT for the Parshall Ambulance, member of the Parshall Fire department and helping with the Boy Scouts. He also served on the Parshall City Council for 2 years, later becoming mayor for 6 years until relocating.

Don enjoyed his family, especially his grand kids. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with all of them whether it was rocking them to sleep or spending endless hours pushing them on the swings. His smile would light up a room every time they would come in calling for “papa”.

Don is survived by his wife, Roberta, children, Gerald “Jerry” (Angela) Ranum, Fargo, Brandi Ranum Chaput and Tessa (Mark) Knudson of Bismarck. Grandchildren, Amelia, Jakob and Klay Knudson, Bismarck, and Connor and Noah Ranum, Fargo.Siblings, Gerald “Jerry” (Tammy) Ranum, Coleharbor, Kenneth “Kenny” (Donna) Ranum, Stanley, Ruth (Robert “Hod”) Hysjulien, Stanley, Myron (Kim) Ranum, Bismarck, and Marlin “Marly” (Cindy) Ranum, Stanley. Brothers-in-law, Ron Baker, Ron Hallingstad, Keith Johnson, Brad Baker, Wayne Baker, Rod (Lori) Baker and Sisters-in-law, Dianna Baker (Harry), Sheila (Dennis) Steele, Janet Baker, and Susan (Erik) Rensch.

He is preceded in death by his third grandchild, his Parents Barbara and Oral Ranum, parents in law Thelma and Everette Baker, brother-in-law Everette Baker Jr “Junior” and sisters-in-law Judith “Judy” Hallingstad, Victoria “Vicky” Johnson and Judy (Cvancara) Baker.                

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 16, at Century Baptist Church, 205 Colt Ave., Bismarck.

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Don will be laid to rest at 1 p.m. Thursday, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.