Loraine Ohm
Jan. 10, 1922-June 8, 2023
Rugby
Loraine Helen (Jelsing) Ohm of Rugby, ND passed away peacefully at the age of 101 years old at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey, ND on June 8, 2023.
Loraine was born January 10, 1922, to Lewis and Helen (Harmel) Jelsing at her home in rural Tunbridge, ND. When Loraine was just four years old her mother Helen passed away. She and her younger brother were then taken care of by her grandparents. Two years later her father remarried to Alida Sand and Loraine moved in with them while her brother stayed with their grandparents. She attended Drege country school and later graduated from Rugby High School in 1941. Loraine married Maurice (Buss) Ohm from Laverne, ND on November 22, 1944, at Bethany Lutheran Church. They made their home in Rugby and lived together until Buss passed away in 1987. She continued to live there until 2020 and then moved in with her daughter Nancy and Bill Nix in Knox, ND until August 2022. She then moved to the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey.
During WWII, Loraine was one of the young ladies who gathered at a hall near the Rugby train depot to send off the troops with words of encouragement and a spin around the dance floor. She also corresponded with soldiers overseas, including her brother Quentin.
She worked at various jobs in Rugby including Jacobson’s Department Store, Crooks Bowling Alley cafe, Red Owl Store, Coast to Coast, McGuires cafe and Rugby Greenhouse during planting season. She was a member of the Tunbridge Free church and then Bethany Lutheran Church for the rest of her life. Loraine was also a member of the Rugby Legion Auxiliary, Rugby Eagles Auxiliary, WELCA and Rugby Senior Center. She was involved with the Rugby Legionettes as a vocalist. They traveled across the U.S. competing nationally singing patriotic songs to many.
An excellent gardener, Loraine’s flowerbeds were filled with colorful blooms. A gracious and welcoming hostess, she loved showing guests the latest photos of her beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also spent her time sending greeting cards to family and friends for almost every special occasion.
Loraine is survived by her children: Carole (Mitzi) Mettler of Rugby; Russell (Darlene) Ohm of Kalispell, MT; Nancy Nix of Knox; her grandchildren: Deanna (Troy) Volk of Rugby; Carla Mettler (fiance Joe Haia) of Minot; Scott (Angela) Ohm of Wheat Ridge, CO; Steve Ohm of Prior Lake, MN; Michael Nix of Valley City and Joey (Denise) Nix of Jamestown; her great grandchildren: Harlie and Tucker Volk, Maeli Haia, Lilia and Ethan Ohm, Jayden and Alyssa Ohm, Levi and Lexia Nix, and her step great grandchildren Blake and Zach Bossingham both of Jamestown; and several nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her parents Lewis and Helen Jelsing; her stepmother Alida Jelsing, her husband Maurice (Buss) Ohm; her brother Quentin Jelsing; her sister Joyce Kruckenberg; her son Randy Ohm; her son-in-laws Harley Mettler and Bill Nix.
Funeral services will be held Saturday June 17th at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Rugby, ND with burial in Persilla Watts Cemetery.
Organist: LaVonne Ivey.
Hymn by the Congregation: “Here I Am Lord,” “In The Garden,” “On Eagle’s Wings.”
Recorded Music: “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler.
Casket Bearers: Michael Nix, Joey Nix, Scott Ohm, Stephen Ohm, Troy Volk and Joe Haia.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, June 17, 2023.