Manfred History & Preservation, Inc.
Juel and Guri Ranum
Husband's Full Name: Juel Ole Ranum
Husband's Place of Birth: Stokkebryn, Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway
Husband's Father's Name: Ole Olson
Husband's Mother's Name: Ingrid Gundersdatter Bjogum
Husband's Siblings' Names: Juel was the youngest of 10 children
Wife's Full Name: Guri Gulbransdatter Ranum
Wife's Place of Birth: Oystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway
Wife's Father's Name: Gulbrand Thorsen
Wife's Mother's Name: Kari Olsdatter
Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown
Child's Name: Ole Juel Ranum
Juel and Guri were married in 1858 in Valdres, Norway. They had one son, Ole Juelson, who was born in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway. Juel, Guri, and Ole immigrated to America in 1870, when Ole was eleven years old. John and Julia became their Americanized names. They first lived in Winona County, MN for four years, then three years in Northfield, MN after which they took a homestead in Lyon County, MN near Ghent and later lived at Cottonwood. These were the years when the scythe and cradle were still being used in the harvesting of wheat. In 1909 they settled at Manfred, ND and were members of the Vang Lutheran Church.
On July 20, 1916, Thursday morning at 7 a.m. Juel Ranum passed to the Great Beyond, as was reported by the Manfred Correspondent of the Harvey Herald. The funeral took place Friday forenoon. Rev. Langseth preaching the funeral sermon to a large number of relatives and friends, who had gathered to show their last respects to the deceased. He was laid to rest in Manfred cemetery besides his grandson.
Jul Ranum was born in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, August 19, 1836, and came to this country 46 years ago. He then spent 3 years in Northfield, MN after which he moved to Lyon County and took up a homestead, and there went through the hardships incidental to the pioneer settlers of Minnesota, and resided there until six years ago when he moved to Manfred to pass his last days here.
He suffered from heart trouble since last fall, but was able to be around at times. He bore his last illness with patience and courage and was tenderly nursed by his faithful wife, with whom he had lived in happy wedlock for 58 years. He leaves besides his wife, who is 78 years of age, one son, Ole Ranum, postmaster of Manfred, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to mourn his loss.