Vilma Christine Ness

Vilma Christine Ness, 93, died peacefully on Monday, July 9, 2012, at Sunnyside Health Care Center in Cloquet, Minn. Born June 29, 1919, in Duluth, Minn., to Helga and Julius Ramfjord, Vilma started working at age 15 at the Duluth Laundry to help support her family and she continued to work hard her whole life. She married Juel Ness in 1944 and together they operated a home for the elderly on Lester River Road, Duluth, before building their home in Cloquet in 1956. Vilma and Juel loved traveling, fishing, camping, dancing, and Vilma especially enjoyed inviting her many friends over for a big meal and an evening of cards. For many years she enjoyed having a group home for Melford, Bob, Joe and others. Even at 93 years of age, she was still young at heart, entertaining us with her unique humor.

Vilma loved her friends dearly, and always had an open door and a listening ear for anyone. She developed a deep appreciation and love for the Bible in her 20s, and in 1950 she became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Over the next five decades she helped many in her public ministry, as well as conducting countless Bible Studies with people in their homes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Juel, 14 months ago; her parents; two brothers, Elwood and Robert Ramfjord; her sister, Violet Westin; and a great-grandson.

She is survived by her brother, Duane (Carley) Ramfjord of Aurora, Minn.; two daughters, Janel (Joe) Bucsko of Duluth and Julie (Brad) Davis of Saginaw, Minn.; three grandchildren, Ron Kirk, Rachelle Kirk (Lonnie) Wigren and Jessica (Matt) Strom; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Vilma's family appreciates the excellent and kind care she received at both Sunnyside Health Care Center and also Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton, Minn.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 13, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1125 North Cloquet Road, Cloquet.

July 12, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

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