Sylvia Iola Austad Sylvia Iola Austad Anderson Ranum, born July 28th, 1928 in Thief River Falls, MN, lost her 15 year battle with Parkinsons, May 28th. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. Sylvia was the third of fourteen children belonging to Iver and Dena Austad. She left Thief River Falls, at 16 to live with her sister in ND and sent money home. She moved to St. Paul, MN at 18 and helped 6 siblings move there. She had 5 children, adopted a 6th, and had 25 foster children. She was a Godly, strong, loving, generous woman. She will be deeply missed. This week would have been her 60th wedding anniversary to Wally, until he passed. In 1991 she married Ray Ranum, a childhood sweetheart. He passed in 2007. Sylvia loved the Lord, taught Sunday School and was one of the first female deacons of Redeeming Love Church. She had a car full of kids when she arrived for Sunday service. She raised her children and half the neighborhood to love and respect the Lord. She owned Anderson Realty for 50 years. She is survived by her sons, Tom Anderson (Norma), Ken Anderson, (Teresa), Steven, her daughters, Sheryl Turner (Marty), Sandi Smith, (Rev. Michael), Wendy Pearson (Ken), sisters: Barbara, Irene, Dagney, Ginnie, Millie, lots of grandchildren, great grandchildren, 1 great greatgrandchild, niece's, nephew's, cousins and many friends. She is alive forever and will live in our hearts and memories until we see her in heaven.