Al Ronseth

Al Ronseth passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2016, with his wife by his side. Al was born in Minnesota in 1927 to Norwegian immigrants Rognald and Anna Ronseth. In 1928 the family moved to Medstead, Saskatchewan. The family lived there from 1928 to 1934.

When Al was 6 years old the family moved to Half Moon in a Model A 1931 truck. His dad worked for Stoltze Lumber in Half Moon and they lived at “Camp 1.” He attended first through eighth grade at Canyon View School. He went to high school in Columbia Falls and played football for the Columbia Falls Wildcats.

Al met his wife, Shirley Beller, on the railroad where they both worked. They were married in 1955 in Whitefish and made that their home. Al’s parents were married on the same day 34 years earlier in Norway. Shirley and Al celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking their daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren to Maui in 2006. They would have celebrated 61 years together this year. They were blessed with two daughters Pam and Suellen.

Al worked for the Great Northern/BNSF Railway in the bridge and building department, retiring after 43 years in 1990. Prior to working on the railroad he had worked on the Hungry Horse Dam and for a contractor in Alaska for the railroad there.

After he retired, they went on their first trip to Kona for five weeks. He fell in love with Hawaii and returned several times. His last trip to Maui was in 2014 with his daughters and son-in-law.

Al loved to pick huckleberries, and picked them with his family as a young child in order for the family to have money to buy school clothes. In 1990, when he retired, he took his dog Chevis with him and he handpicked 70 gallons that summer. The last summer he picked was 2013.

He was so proud of his Norwegian heritage. Al and Shirley loved to travel and they took their daughters to Norway and Europe for seven weeks in 1970; went on a Caribbean Cruise, Branson, Missouri, and to Norsk Hostfest in Minot several times. Al went fishing in the ocean many times and to Northern Sask with his son-in-law and grandson. They traveled to Yellow Knife in the Northwest Territories. They loved to camp and took their grandchildren often.

Al was involved in many various organizations over the years. He, like several other men in Whitefish, devoted 20 years to being a volunteer fireman. Al was pleased that his father-in-law and son-in-law were volunteer firemen in Whitefish as well. Now his grandson is a volunteer fireman in Dutton. In 1971, Al was injured while fighting the fire of the junior high gym, when he jumped 25 feet off a ladder to avoid a burning wire but only suffered a crushed heel.

All who knew Al, knew what a kind, generous, honest man he was. He always said “I’ve never met a stranger.” Our loss of him leaves such a big hole in our hearts. He had an unbelievable memory, whether it be history, family or an event. He could recall any day, his location and the weather at any given time. He was a marvelous storyteller and did so love to share his wisdom.

Some of his favorite memories were hunting and fishing with his grandsons and son-in-laws, camping with his grandchildren and picking huckleberries with his granddaughters.

Al suffered from macular degeneration and Parkinsons disease. We have peace knowing he’s whole again and free from his diseases. Our family will be forever grateful for his very dear friend Russell Rhine, who spent many hours with him in the woods and always saw to it that Al made it to their weekly breakfasts after he lost his sight.

Most of all, Al loved his family. His daughter, Pam (Chris) Blume and granddaughter, Katelynn Blume all of Olympia, Washington; granddaughter, Courtney (Kyle) Finneman and great-granddaughter, Kenley of Havre; daughter, Suellen (Steve) Carlson of Whitefish and grandsons, Trevor Carlson of Dutton and Tyler Carlson of Lolo; and the love of his life his wife, Shirley, who all survive him.

Al was known affectionately as “Grandpy” or “Gramps” to his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy and there was always a twinkle in his eye whenever he talked about them. He made sure they knew how proud he was of them and how very much he loved them. He wanted nothing more out of life than to watch his grandchildren and great-granddaughter grow and thrive. Each one of them were put on a pedestal and could do no wrong in his eyes.

Al is survived in addition by sister, Lillian French of Kalispell; sister-in-law and bother-in-law, Helen (Beller) and Joel Ekeland of Texas; and numerous treasured nieces and nephews across the country. He was proceeded in death by his parents; step-mother Anna; brothers, Ray and Jim; sisters, Arnhild and Betty; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jess and Adelaide Beller; and brother-in-laws, Jerry Beller, Bill Hutchinson and Ralph Ducket.

His family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made in his name: to Christ Lutheran Church, which he had been a member since 1963, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937.

A celebration of life service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church on Friday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.