Obituary, Dolores Ramstead Lund

Dolores Lund was born in Strandquist, Minnesota on February 20, 1921 to Ed and Ida Ramstead and lived 92 ½ years to the fullest until she passed away peacefully October 16, 2013 surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregiver Nellie Zagrean in Kenmore, WA. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt, "grandma great" and friend to many. Her parents were true pioneers and moved from Minnesota to Alaska in 1925 with Dolores (4) and 4 other children, heading to Pt. Agassiz across the water from Petersburg to homestead land there - the territory of Alaska promised to build a school house and furnish a teacher if there were 7 students-and the Ramstead family soon fulfilled the quota. Three more children were born to the Ramstead family in Alaska, all growing up on the farm, but when two of her siblings went to Petersburg to high school, Dolores was mom to them. She graduated from Petersburg High School in 1938 and married Arne Lund in 1940; they lived, worked, and raised their family in Petersburg enjoying fishing and boating together, his beautiful serenades to her lasting 45 years before he passed away. After 80 years of living in Alaska, she moved to Mill Creek, WA in 2002 to be near her family-bravely leaving behind her beautiful home on Sandy Beach Road, Horn Cliff and Devil's Thumb, her fishing poles, a Subaru, a lifetime of memories, friends, Petersburg Lutheran Church, Emblem Club, Pioneers of Alaska, and the Sons of Norway Lodge.

Dolores was a woman of faith, a cultivator of garden and friends, patriot, ski jumper, artist, writer, geographer, historian, photographer, lover of books, cook, baker, barber, seamstress, fisherman, clam digger, berry picker, bird watcher, card and game player, golf and baseball fan, fixer of anything, Hobby Shop owner, and lover of nature. She painted scenes on windows, neck ties, table cloths, wood conks, and cigar boxes, and will long be remembered for her tea parties and signature Humpty Dumptys she made for many of her little friends. She loved music and was always a cheerleader for Arne, Dennis, and Diane.

She is survived by son Dennis Lund (Nancy), daughter Diane Forde (Alf), brothers John Ramstead (Bellevue), and Edward Ramstead (Mt. Baldy, CA); sisters-in-law Gudrun Nygren, Beverly, Rita and Kayjo Ramstead; grandchildren Laurell Lund Kurtzman, Kirsten Forsythe (Jon), Kari McIntyre (Steve), Kaia DeBoer(JP); great grandchildren Abigail Kurtzman, Nick and Chandler Forsythe, Hannah and Tessa McIntyre, Karl, Trygve and Sylvi DeBoer, devoted nieces and nephews ,and many dear friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Arne (1985) and siblings Marie Zobrist, Milton, James, Glenn and Arne Ramstead-who joined her in her heavenly home a week after she passed away.

Dolores came from a long line of love and her legacy will be remembered by all who knew her-her life will be celebrated in Petersburg May 16, 2014. Details to follow.

If you wish, memorials may be sent to Petersburg Lutheran Church, Clausen Memorial Museum, Bojer Wikan Fisherman's Memorial or a charity of your choice.