Stella Fossum, 95 of Rhame, ND passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman.
Funeral Services for Stella will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Galen Strand and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bethany Cemetery, rural Rhame. There will be a Family and Friends services on Sunday evening at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Stella was a life-long resident of Bowman County. She was born on September 26, 1915, the youngest of nine children to Peter and Christina (Egeland) Oakland. She attended Golden Valley School and Rhame High School. After high school, Stella worked for Myrtle Pond and Martha West at the Bowman Hospital. She was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church south of Rhame where she met her husband, Ernest. They were married in Scranton by Reverend Meyer on June 15, 1937. Ernest and Stella lived on his parent's ranch in a two room house for the first nine years of their marriage. They then purchased the Richard Anderson ranch. Ernest and Stella had two children, Bonnie and Chuck, who were their pride and joy. Family, friends and the church were the most important things in Stella's life. She was very active in the church. She taught Bible School, Sunday school and was active in the Ladies Aid. She was well known for her dark bread and donuts. She never missed serving peach pie for circle during the summer months. Stella had her hand on the heartbeat of the community She was always one of the first to welcome new member or to comfort those in need. Stella will always be remembered for her kind and caring ways. The coffee pot was always on and neighbors enjoyed stopping by for a cup and a donut or chocolate chip cookies. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her priorities. They held a special place in her heart, as well as many life-long friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Christina; her husband, Ernest; her brothers; Ole, Lawrence, Marvin and Johnny; her sisters; Marie Hande, Regina Jensen, Pearl Voight, Myrtle Olson and Jenny Oakland; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived by her children Bonnie of Bowman and Chuck of Rhame; grandchildren; Tom (Lindsey) of Rhame and John (Bobbi) and their children, Roman and Charlize of Bowman.