Ann J Ringstad

Mom, Grammie, Friend

Ann, cherished only child of John Olai and Martha Olea Jensen, was born in Tromsø, Norway. Her father had emigrated from Norway in 1907 and became a US citizen in 1921. In 1924 he returned to Norway to visit family. While there he reconnected with Martha. They were married later that year and in February 1925, Ann was born. Per traditional naming patterns in Norway, she was named after her father’s mother, Anne Johanna, but later opted to omit the final ‘e’ and went by Ann. Martha was nearly 40 and John was close to 45. Because John was a US citizen, he needed to return to Seattle where he was living. The travel route back to the US was via ship to New York, followed by train via Chicago to Seattle. They decided it would be too dangerous to take a baby across the ocean. Martha stayed with family in Norway while John returned to Seattle. In May 1926, Martha, along with 15-month-old Ann, set off for Seattle. Martha spoke no English and relied on Traveler’s Aid to navigate their way across the country. At meals, with a language barrier, she would ask for coffee (same word) and then point to items on other people’s plates, getting foods that she thought her young daughter would eat. She would then eat the leftovers. Ann was an energetic toddler who kept her mother busy during their journey.

Soon after the family was reunited, they bought a house on Phinney Ridge. Ann went to B F Day Elementary, Hamilton Jr High, and graduated Lincoln High School in1943.) She attended reunions for many years. Sadly, her father died in 1937 when she was 12 years old. After graduation, she began working for Pacific Bell Telephone company.

She married Richard H. Ringstad in 1949. They had six children over the next 10+ years who attended Loyal Heights, James Monroe, Whitman, and Ballard High Schools. She was very active in PTA volunteering in various positions, fundraising and as a room mother. One year she had five children enrolled in grade school. Later she volunteered with Hospice at NW Hospital. At Northminster Presbyterian Church she was a Deacon, which she really enjoyed. She had lots of fun spending time with her grandchildren and was an avid game player - loved card and board games, puzzles, mahjong, and dominos with most anybody!

Ann was adventurous. In later years she was able to travel, often with her cousin Frieda, her children and grandchildren, and various friends. Whether the trip was to Norway, Fort Flagler or Grayland she was always ready to pack her suitcase for a tour or plane ride.

She became a fan of several sports teams. Trips to Mariners Spring Training, the Everett Aqua Sox, UW Huskies, Seahawks and Kraken on tv. (“I don’t understand it, but it is fun to watch.”)

She was preceded in death by husband, Richard, brother-in-law Bob, her sons Glenn and Rick, as well as sons-in-law Gordon Merritt and Richard C. O’Malley. She is survived by her children Carolyn Merritt, Sherrie (Glenn’s widow), Larry, (Cindy), Joan O’Malley and Barbara (Ted McCumber), along with grandchildren Steve, Amy Buck (Jackson), Michele, Tim Merritt, Tina Devrin (Toni), LJ, Rachel Brown (Aidin), and Whit and Wesley McCumber. Great grands include Tyler Watson, Alissa and Ashley Buck, and Jensen and Magnolia Brown.

Suggested memorials to: Northminster Presbyterian Church or National Nordic Museum in Ballard.

A Celebration of her life will be held on what would have been her 100th birthday, Saturday 2/22/25, 1pm – 4pm at Ballard Elks, 6411 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle. There will be light refreshments and a no-host bar.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, 2/23/25 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 7706 25th Ave NW, Seattle. Coffee Hour will be at 1 pm and the Service will begin at 2pm.