Obituary: Som, Ragnhild Marie (Endahl) (Indahl)
Age 90
She passed away on September 9, 2013 in Spokane.
The family of three immigrated to the U.S. in April 1925, through New York City, and traveled by train to Badger, Iowa, where one of her uncles lived.
They settled in Humboldt, where Peder began doing carpentry work.
Ragnhild’s younger brother, Charles, was born there.
Ragnhild graduated as Valedictorian from Humboldt High School in 1941.
During high school, in addition to studies, she was in plays in the Drama department, and sang with the choir in State Music Competitions in Des Moines.
The family moved to Spokane in 1943 where Ragnhild began doing stenographic work.
She sang in a large a cappella choir under the direction of Orville Westburg, and with the Belcanto Women’s Chorus.
Ragnhild attended the University of Idaho and began to explore new employment options.
She was in the music class, and traveled to Southern Idaho with a women’s combined vocal group and orchestra; they also sang at military bases in the Spokane area.
This music group sang on the steps of the Boise State Capitol in a memorial service after the death of President Roosevelt.
After one year, Ragnhild returned to Spokane.
Here she met her husband, Harry Indahl who had been attending Central Lutheran, and had eyed Ragnhild in church.
Harry arranged for an introduction in January 1946.
They were engaged on the Fourth of July when Harry gave her a diamond ring on a picnic at Coeur d’Alene Park.
The couple married on December 21, 1946, at Central Lutheran Church, and honeymooned in California where they went dancing and to a Rose Bowl Game.
Berne Michael was born in 1949, Clarke Evan in 1952, Heidi Jo in 1958, and Peter James in 1961.
While raising her children, Ragnhild especially enjoyed leading the Children’s Choir at Central Lutheran Church, where she also sang in the Central Lutheran Church Choir for nearly sixty years, frequently sang solos, and performed with the Bell Choir.
She directed a Triple Trio High School Girls’ Group, and sang in Lutheran Women in Harmony, a community choir.
Ragnhild was active in church and very involved in the success of the Annual Central Lutheran Church Bazaar.
After her children were grown, Ragnhild continued to be active in community service, including Meals on Wheels.
She performed in The Sound of Music at the Spokane Civic Theatre.
She enjoyed traveling to Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Norway where she visited relatives.
After Harry’s death in 1982, Ragnhild moved to the home on 19th Avenue that her father had built.
In 1987, she married Anthony Som, and they continued to reside in that home.
Tony and Ragnhild enjoyed traveling together, including trips to Canada, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Norway, England, and Malaysia.
They also enjoyed cruises and a family reunion in Hawaii, and traveled around the country attending baptisms, confirmations, graduations, and weddings of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
They greatly enjoyed camping at Priest Lake.
Ragnhild and Tony moved into Riverview Retirement Center in December 2009.
Tony and Ragnhild’s combined families include seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Ragnhild is also survived by her husband, Tony; and her brother, Charles.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry, and her parents.
Visitation for Ragnhild will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18th from 10:00AM to 5:00PM, Thursday, September 19th from 8:00AM to 5:00PM and Friday, September 20th from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
A memorial service honoring her life will be held at Central Lutheran Church, Fifth and Browne, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 21.
Interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Lilac Services for the Blind and the Central Lutheran Church Choir.