Lois and John Ham
John and Lois Ham left this world together January 26, 2019. Their love for one another and family was unconditional.
John and Lois met at the corner drug store where Lois worked while they both attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. They married in 1961 and raised four children in Fargo. They were members of Nativity Catholic Church where they instilled the importance of faith in their children’s lives.
John was born December 22, 1940 in McVille, ND, to John and Selma (Haabak) Ham. He grew up on the family farm near Aneta, ND. John enjoyed playing guitar and recorded and sang love songs for Lois. John sold his favorite cow to purchase Lois’ engagement ring. He worked for IBM for over 20 years. After retiring from IBM, he started his own business, FM Typewriter Service. John had a love for the outdoors including, hunting, fishing, camping, which he passed on to his children. He was an exceptional craftsman, as he could build and fix almost anything. John was selfless and always put others first.
Lois was born July 28, 1938 in Breckenridge, MN to Leo and Henrietta (Lovdokken) Ehlert. She grew up on a farm near Breckenridge, MN. She earned a degree in accounting and after college her life focus was on raising her family with John. Lois had a passion for gardening and was known for her beautiful flowers. She loved cooking and baking. Guests never left her house hungry. Family gatherings and holidays were important to her.
The greatest joy they shared together was their love of their family, especially their grandchildren. They also enjoyed weekly coffee gatherings with their friends.
John and Lois are survived by their children, John (Ann) Ham, Brian (Teresa) Ham, Wayne (Melissa Reardon) Ham, Sandra (Kevin) Hilscher; grandchildren, Matthew (Sasha) and Michael Ham, Rain and Alia Ham, Katie Ham, Samantha, Austin and Sara, Ryan (Marissa) Ham and Amanda Hilscher, April; great-grandchildren, Nellie, Cora, Zander and two great-grandchildren expected in June; John’s sisters; Gloria and Janice; and Lois’ brothers, Loren and Jim.
John and Lois are preceded in death by both of their parents, Lois’ brother, Leroy and sister-in-law, Betty.
A special thanks to the medical team at Essentia Health Cancer Center.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursday, January 31, 2019, with a funeral service at 12:00 PM.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo.
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I so enjoyed visiting with Lois when she came to MJ Capelli to get her hair done. She was a kind and passionate women. She lived her kids and grandkids dearly. She will be miss.
My sincere sympathies to the family! John was such a nice man. He was the expert when typewriter repair was needed where I worked. I also am a former Aneta resident. God bless their souls and prayers for the family.
Loren, & all family of Lois & John, sending you my sympathy & prayers in this time of sorrow & loss.
God Bless you each, & comfort you.
Love & Prayers, Harriet.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ham family! I am so sorry for your loss of your parents!
Deepest sympathy. Thoughts and prayers to the family. The Bernard’s
We express our sincere sympathies to the Ham family and hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
Brian & Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Deepest Sympathies,
Sheila (Lund) Carney
I am from Aneta and were neighbors of the Hams so I knew the whole family. I want to express my sympathy to his children, John, Brian, Wayne and Sandra. Sisters Gloria and Janice, brothers Loren and Jim. I still think of John as “Johnny Boy” as his mother always called him that when he was young. May God give your family extra strength and friends surround you as you grieve. Phyllis Sundquist Peterson
To Jim and Loren, I’m very Sorry to hear about your Sister Lois and John. I didn’t know any of you til I came to St. Francis Nursing Home where your Mother was in. My thoughts and Prayers are with you all in this time of Sorrys. I Miss you Guys.
To all of the Ham family, please accept our deepest sympathy at the loss of your parents. And Wayne, although we never had the pleasure of meeting your parents we have been fortunate enough to know you and you are a wonderful example of the result of their kind and loving parenting. We will be keeping you and all your family in our prayers.
So sorry to hear about your loss. My condolences. <3
I was friends with Ryan in high school.
Johnny, Brian and the rest of the Ham family-thoughts and prayers to you all. I remember hanging out at your house a lot growing up-lots of great memories. Hugs to you all.
So sorry to hear about John and Lois. We were neihbors in the same apartment building and remember you boys growing up I think I have a few pictures of my daughter pulling Wayne in the wagon down the street. They will be greatly missed and prayers to the family
Wayne,
So sorry for the loss of your parents. Our deepest sympathies and offering prayers up for you and your family.
My deepest condolences to the Ham family. May the Lord be with you and give you strength during your time of need and loss.
So sorry to hear about this awful tragedy, our thoughts and prayers go to the entire family, but especially to Wayne Ham, a very dear friend of ours. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to all. Adriana & Dean Foley
My deapest heartfelt sympathies for all of you, John, Brian, Wayne and Sandy.Your mom and dad were always so very kind to our family while we were your neighbors, always smiled, waved, friendly words, just so so kind. It’s fun to think back to those days! My prayers are with your families right now. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers to all of you!
Sending your family our deepest sympathies in this difficult time. We are thinking of you all.
God bless all of you on you loss. No more pain, just peace.
Family of Lois & John, I met your dad in his IBM days and what a great guy he was …. fixed those typewriters in a snap. Over the years I occasionally ran into him and I reintroduced myself; he remembered me and the places I worked. Rest assured, he and your mother, were great people. Donna Hentges
My deepest sympathy to Lois” Family. I am a 1956 Classmate of Lois’. She was a very nice classmate. Your obituary gave me a beautiful picture of her life since graduation. I know she will be missed by all of you. God Bless her memory.
John, your brothers and sister, and your children Matthew and Michael, our Grandchildren, our deepest sympathy and prayers for the loss of your parents, and Grandparents John and Lois. We know all of you will have fond memories of them and keep the good times in your hearts, I know we will.
We love you all,
To the Family, I did not unfortunately have the opportunity to know these wonderful people , but I do know Wayne and for that I am so very sorry for the entire family loss. I pray that our Lord gives you the strength to heal in time along with the wisdom to comfort you all. God bless you.
John Ham was so kind to my father, Roy C Pedersen. When Dad was in his 90s and in assisted living, Mr. Ham would make “house calls” to clean and repair dad’s Royal typewriter that he had used for decades at WDAY and continued to use to communicate with friends. Dad thought the world of John Ham and so do I.
I am also a 1956 Breckenridge classmate of Lois. Thank you for sharing the video of her special life after graduation. Sending heartfelt sympathy to the families of Lois & John..
Beautiful video. May God cover your family with His comfort, peace and love. John and Lois will be greatly missed.
I did not have the opportunity to know these wonderful people, but I do know their oldest son John Ham. From knowing John, I can tell that they were very special people and raised a beautiful and wise family. I would like to extend my sympathies to the entire family for such a great loss. You all are in our thoughts and prayer. May God provide Peace and strength to the family.
We were very saddened to hear of Lois and John’s passing. We send our very Deepest Sympathies , Prayers , Love and Hugs to all of the their families.
We so enjoyed knowing them and visiting with them at the Nursing home where Lois’ Mom was a Resident. My mom and her mom were best friends there. The whole family was so friendly and kind that we felt like family.
Wishing you all comfort and healing in time during this tremendous and tragic loss.
We are unable to attend services for them ,but, please know we are there in heart and spirit.
Again our Deepest Sympathies, Prayers, Love and Hugs to all,
Craig and Ila Myhre
And Irene Bursheim
Wayne & Family- I’m sending healing prayers and comforting hugs your way. I am so sorry for your loss.
Brian, Teresa & families,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Andy & Julie Levos & family
Our condolences to the Family of John & Lois. We knew Lois, when she was working at the Corner Drug Store, and John was a Student at the College. They got married, a week after Roger & I did. We continued our Friendship, while we lived in Fargo. Thank you, for sharing the video of your Family pictures.
My sympathy to the Ham and Ehlert families.Such a shock to say the least. My mom, Alice, and Henrietta were friends at St. Francis and always sat at the same table. Got to know and enjoy Henriettas family, nee Lois and John. They came every Sunday as I still do, loved visiting with such splendid folks…..they will surely be missed……but HEAVEN is much brighter with 2 beautiful angels, Lois and John. Was unable to attend services but had your family in my prayers………I feel honored to have called them friends, they were wonderful folks! R.I.P. Lois and John……….
our condolences,
Alice Pausch(resident), and
Carol Pausch(Alices daughter)
Heartfelt condolences to the family. John was the service man for IBM selectric II typewriter at a business where I worked for many years. HE did great work and was very personable. GOd’s peace
I’m so sorry to learn of John and Lois’s passing. I met John at IBM when I worked for UPS delivering packages to John and later again at his Typewriter Repair shop at his home. John always greeted me with a smile. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of John and Lois’s. I’ll have you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.
Ham family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom and dad. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Verna (Muscha) Alverson