Obituary of Delia C. Ranes

Delia Catherine (Sammons) Ranes of Ruston, Washington died September 19, 2014 at her home at the age of 95. She was born March 1, 1919 in Erhard, Minnesota to her parents Joseph and Laura (Whitman) Sammons. After moving to North Dakota as an infant she returned along with her family in 1932 to Scambler Township, graduating from Pelican Rapids High School in 1938. William "Bill" Ranes and Delia were married February 3, 1950. They lived and worked in Hawaii; Quantico, Va.; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Guam; China Lake, Calif. and in Washington state. They were employed primarily in civil service, while raising their children Laura and Charles. Delia was the twelfth of fourteen children and the last surviving member of her family of origin. She is fondly remembered for her kind and generous nature, and her zest for life that remained until cancer overtook her in the recent months. Examples of her spirit include her decision to buy herself a new Mercedes for her 90th birthday. She then drove it alone from her home in Washington to Pelican Rapids to visit her family in the area. She made beautiful quilts for returning military veterans in her area and all her nieces and nephews. Her warm personality made her much beloved and endeared her to all those who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband William who died December 26, 1994; siblings Robert (Evelyn), Hazel, Mary (John) Wick, Joseph "Bill" (Alterine), Darrah (Ruth), Pearl (Ernald) Tabbut, Pansy (George) Simmons, infant twin boys, Esmer (Erwin "Buster") Shores, Kathlene, Charles "Randy" (Elva) and Dorothy (Alan) Conner. She is survived by her children Laura Ranes and Charles Ranes (Lori Meldahl); stepchildren, Dorothy "Toni" (Ranes) Simpson and Bruce Ranes; grandchildren Timothy Green, Sandra "Rene" Ransom and Wendy Howland; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Alan Conner, sister-in-law, Elva Sammons; many nieces, nephews along with their families. Instead of flowers please donate to your favorite charity. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life.