Ralph Friesen

Ralph Stanley Friesen, the son of Peter R. and Linda (Harder) Friesen was born on July 8, 1932 near Mountain Lake, Minnesota. After graduating from Mountain Lake High School in 1950, he attended Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Loewens on December 30, 1952. From January 1955 - December 1956, he did his 1W Service at Menninger Psychiatric Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. They made their home and farmed together near Mountain Lake until 1986. He worked at Conestoga Woods for several years. In 1989, they moved to Mountain Lake, where Ralph worked many years as maintenance supervisor at the Eventide Home. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Heritage Village in later years. In February 2011, they moved to the Eventide Suites Assisted Living Facility and then in January 2013, moved to the Sogge Home in Windom. Ralph was very active in the Carson Mennonite Brethren Church, Delft, and later the Community Bible Church in Mt. Lake. He served as church moderator, deacon, treasurer and various other committees. Ralph loved to sing and was very involved in all areas of music ministry. He directed the Carson Male Chorus for many years. He also sang many solos and duets with Linda. He enjoyed singing in small groups and the church choir. Ralph served on the Co-op Board and the Mennonite Mutual Insurance Board. He enjoyed being with people and was a very devoted husband, dad and grandpa. Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Linda Friesen of Windom; 3 children, Stanton and his wife, Theresa of Brandon, SD. Bruce and his wife Darla, of Delft, and Michelle and her husband, Kevin Ratzlaff of Mt. Lake. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Thomas Friesen and his wife Jackie of Sioux Falls, SD, Alicia DeVries and her husband Brian of Jackson, Christopher, Brianna and Danae Friesen of Delft, Krystie Haden and her husband, Mike of Pearland, TX and Travis Ratzlaff and his wife Bobbielee of Kingwood, TX. He was also the proud great grandpa to Makenzie and Corbyn Friesen, Tyler Friesen, Sara Herther, Cade Fox, Hannah DeVries, Madison and Hunter Haden, and Hayden Ratzlaff. He is survived by one sister, Verona and her husband Vernon J Friesen of Tahlequah, OK, two brothers, Vernon D. and his wife Jan of Lincoln, NE and Norman of San Diego, CA. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Sheila Embertson. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, October 24, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159