Jill Ralston

Jill C. Ralston, age 86, of Petersburg, ND, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

Jill Cliff Onyett was born July 10, 1927 in Cambridge, England. She lived in Cambridge and London during WWII, and met and became engaged to Verne B. Ralston. They married when she was 19 and started their life together farming near Petersburg, ND. Her family and friends describe her as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend who always put family before herself. She served as the Ladies Aid Society President at Petersburg Lutheran Church and was a Cub Scout leader and Seventh grade Sunday School teacher for many years. She was also a talented actress who possessed an arsenal of British accents and a flair for comedic acting in community plays. Jill's love of gardening and animals coupled with a spirit of adventure helped her to adapt well to the farming lifestyle. Her hobbies were reading, gardening, and playing cards.

Jill is a survived by sons Daniel (Deb), and Nick (Carla), daughter Margaret (Kim), daughter-in-law Mary Kay (wife of the late Timothy Ralston), 14 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband (Verne), son (Timothy), and parents (Dorothy and E.T. Scott).

The Funeral Service will be held at Petersburg Lutheran Church, Petersburg, ND, on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Val Teppo. Interment will be in the spring at the Petersburg Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Tuesday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.