Mary Elizabeth Ronning

Visitation: Thursday, August 16, 2007 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Service: Friday, August 17, at 11:00 am at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.

Mary Elizabeth Ronning, age 93, of Miles City passed away at the Holy Rosary Heath Center in Miles City on Saturday, August 11, 2007.

Mary Elizabeth Ronning was born on September 21, 1913 at her parents homestead at Rock Springs, Montana. Elizabeth, as well as her family, lived a life of hard times, hard work, cold winters, and hot summers through her growing-up years. They developed strong value systems and high principles which carried them through the years to come.She married Peter Ronning, a Norwegian immigrant who was homesteading at Angela. Although she was very young, she was a devoted wife, and the young couple formed strong friendships in the community and offered hospitality to many visitors.

Soon two sons, Peter Jr. and Alan, were born to them. In 1937 they moved to Jordan, where Pete managed the Farmers Union Service Station. When help was hard to find in those war years, Elizabeth pumped gas, checked oil, filled tires, and counted ration stamps, besides taking care of her household. She always supported her husband in all his endeavors. During this time, daughter Carol Lynn and three more sons, Arvid, Oscar, and Leif, were added to the family.

In the early 50s, the family moved to Miles City where Pete, Sr., was a car salesman for Ford Motor Company. Due to family circumstances, Elizabeth began working nights at the 10 Spot Cafe as a waitress and cook, still carrying on with home chores and nurturing her large, active family. After working at the Custer County Rest Home as a nurses aide for some years, she qualified for a position at the Veterans Hospital which she held until her retirement. When health began to fail in her mid-80s, she gave up the family home to reside at Eagles Manor and then at Friendship Villa in the last two years.

Preceding Elizabeth in death were her beloved husband, Pete, and their son Peter. Her Swedish immigrant parents, Lars and Maria Meyer, and brothers Carl, Rudolph, Hilding, and Eric predeceased her.

She is survived by her daughter Carol Brakke and husband Grayson, sons Alan and his wife Beverly, Arvid and his wife Linda, Oscar and his wife Donna, and Leif and his wife Alice. Seventeen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, plus one great great grandchild survive. Her sister Frances also survives.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2007 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 17, at 11:00 am at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.