Ronald J. Watt

Ronald J. Watt, age 85 of Park River, ND passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.

Ronald J. Watt was born July 22, 1931 in Osford Township of Cavalier County, ND the son of the late William G. and Annie G. (Bruce) Watt. He attended rural schools in Osford Township. Following his education, Ronald served in the United States Army from 1952-1954. Upon his discharge he returned home and was united in marriage to Elda Aune on July 25, 1954 at the Hitterdahl Lutheran Church. The couple farmed in the Milton area in the summer months then wintered in Minneapolis, MN where Ron had a winter job. In the 1970’s he worked for the Nekoma MSR site, working in security, the fire department and maintenance. He also worked at the Cavalier Air Station in the security department. He quit farming in the 1980’s and started driving semi truck until retiring in 2013. Elda passed away on June 7, 2013. Ron moved to Park River in 2013 and on April 27, 2017 he moved to the Good Samaritan Center.

He was a member of the Bethel Free Lutheran Church of Grafton, ND where he had served on the church council. He was also a member of the former Hitterdahl Lutheran Church where he had served as trustee. He was a member of the Milton American Legion Post, the Fairdale Sons of Norway Lodge and the Northeast North Dakota Pioneer Machinery Association. He enjoyed hunting deer, fishing, woodworking and restoring old tractors.

Ronald is survived by his children: Gayle (Wayne) Slama, Langdon, ND; Karin (Tom) Toston, Wilson, WI; Lowell (Brenda) Watt, Park River, ND; Jeff Watt, Osnabrock, ND; four grandchildren: Jeremy (Heidi) Slama, Shawn Slama, Joshua Watt (Danielle Gripentrog), Jessica (Ben) Schumann and Dawn Slama, eight great grandchildren and his brother Howard Watt, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and grandson, Corey Slama.

Funeral services will be Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Victory Free Lutheran Church of Park River. Military rites will be provided by the Milton American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be at the Milton Memorial Cemetery.