Ronald Roos
Ronald Dale Roos, age 77, of Horace, N.D., formerly of Watford City, died May 22, 2026, at his home. Family and HIA Hospice were instrumental in his being able to spend his final days at home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10 am at Horace Lutheran Church. Inurnment will follow at the Veterans National Cemetery at Harwood.
Ron was born July 15, 1948, in Devils Lake, N.D., to Edwin and Alma (Lund) Roos. He grew up in the Lignite, N.D., area, graduating from Lignite High School in 1966. Ron attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton and attained a degree in electrical installation and repair.
Commonwealth Electric in Minneapolis was the first stop in Ron’s career. It was cut short when Uncle Sam called, and he became an active member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971 and a proud Marine the rest of his life. During his time in the service, he received the National Defense Service Medal.
Upon discharge from active duty, Ron joined his parents in Watford City, N.D., and worked as a police officer before returning to the electrical field. He earned Master Electrician License No. 1059, in October of 1976; following that, he established Ron’s Electric, which he operated until his retirement in 2018. For several years, Ron also worked for McKenzie Healthcare System in maintenance and later as director of maintenance.
Ron and Lanae Chernenko were married December 18, 1976, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grassy Butte, N.D. They are the parents of two children, Greg and Rachelle, and proud grandparents of four grandsons, Jayden, Owen, Blake and Noah.
Ron was patriotic to the core; no home that he owned was without a flagpole and Old Glory waving in the breeze. He was a member of the Drill Team for Carl E. Rogen Post 29 in the 70s and 80s and held different positions within the Legion. In the early years of his retirement, Ron volunteered with the VA to transport veterans to their out-of-town appointments; he enjoyed listening to their military experiences. In 2022, Ron was awarded a 50-year Certificate of Continuous Membership by the American Legion.
In addition to his military interests, Ron was involved with the Watford City Jaycees; was named Fireman of the Year for 1997 by the Watford City Fire Department; volunteered countless hours to the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Order of the Arrow; served on the Board of Directors for Upper Missouri Ministries (now Springbrook Bible Camp); was a member of the Horace Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Fellow; belonged to the North Dakota Electrical Contractors Association and International Association of Electrical Inspectors and held various positions in each; was a member of First Lutheran Church in Watford City and, more recently, Horace Lutheran Church.
Ron enjoyed the outdoors and was a member of the Badlands Shooters Gun Club and Pheasants Forever. He was a collector of stamps, coins, and Hesston belt buckles (with the exception of No. 1!).
Ron is survived by his wife, Lanae; children, Greg (Stacy) Roos of Fargo, N.D., and Rachelle Seuntjens of McIntosh, Minn.; grandsons, Jayden (fiancé Anissa Walker), Owen and Blake Roos and Noah Seuntjens; brother, Darrell (Colleen) Roos of Sun City, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Donna Roos of Minot, N.D.; brother-in-law, Reed (Sandy) Chernenko of Surprise, Ariz; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins also survive.
Preceding Ron in death were his parents; sister, Joyce (Frank) Hoffman; and nephew Corey Hoffman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Horace Lutheran Church, PO Box 39, Horace, ND 58047; Springbrook Bible Camp, PO Box 111, Epping ND, 58843; or HIA Hospice, 3800 56th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58104.