Harriet M. Naas

Harriet M. (Ronningen) Naas, 93 of Grand Forks, ND formerly of Devils Lake, ND died peacefully, Friday, January 6, 2017 in Valley Eldercare Center, Grand Forks, ND. Harriet Marvel Ronningen was born August 13, 1923 in McVille, ND, the daughter of Mansfield and Hazel (Rickford) Ronningen. She grew up near Binford, ND and attended Binford High School.  Harriet married Lester K. Naas on June 30, 1940 at West Prairie Lutheran Church near Binford, ND. They farmed north of Kloten, ND until the late 1960’s, then moved to Devils Lake, ND for his Federal Crop Insurance Corporation appointment. In her zest for life, Harriet surrounded herself with energetic young people, compassionate caregivers, gracious neighbors, friends old and new and family members who shared her adventures. Her great joy was to feed people, learn their stories and savor simple delights, trees, flowers, animals, music, politics, travel, fishing, sports, Red Willow Lake, church and school activities, baking her special buns, apple pie, monster cookies, lefse, bars and cakes.  Harriet will be long remembered for her loving nature, quick wit, sense of humor, keen observations, resourcefulness, problem solving ability and encouraging others to follow their dreams. She shared these traits with customers, residents and co-workers at the McVille Café, White Drug, North Dakota School for the Deaf and Lake Region Nursing Home in Devils Lake, ND and members of Olive Branch, Rebekah Lodge #9 (serving as Noble Grand), Christian Women’s Club, 4-H, women’s groups of Our Savior’s Lutheran and St. Olaf Lutheran Churches.  Harriet is survived by her three children Linda Kay Naas, Bonnie (Ed) Grimes both of Grand Forks, ND and Marvin Naas, Devils Lake, ND; grandson Jamie (Karla) Grimes, Fisher, MN; two great grandsons Mason Grimes (Bailey Solheim), Climax, MN and Bryar Grimes, Grand Forks; special family members Mitchell Heisler, Mohall, ND, Nici Heisler, Colorado Springs, CO and their children; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Avis and Willard Van Wechel, Mayville, ND and Tracy and Rosalie Naas, Lisbon and McVille, ND plus many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Lester on May 6, 2005; parents; in-laws Tom and Agness (Drengson) Naas; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Irving and Alaine Naas and Ieleen Naas; God daughter Vickie Van Wechel Cleveland and her son Marvin’s fiancé Cindy Heisler. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 11th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake and will continue on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. The Funeral Service and time of sharing by friends and family will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Kloten, ND. Burial will be in Our Saviors Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com