Ralph Anthony Palmer, age 70, of Perham, MN, died Wednesday, March 14, 2006 at the Perham Memorial Home, Perham. Funeral services were Saturday, March 18, 2006 beginning at 11:00 am at St. Henrys Catholic Church, Perham, with Father Joe Herzing officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was at Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, Friday, March 17, from 4:00 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. and one hour prior to services.
Ralph was born November 5, 1935 in New Ulm, MN, the son of Robert and Marie (Peichel) Palmer. There he attended St. George Parochial School. In 1946 he moved with his family to rural Frazee/Perham, MN, where he attended country school, District 158 in Gorman Township. He then attended Perham High School and in 1953 started farming with his father. He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Frank on July 9, 1965, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee. In 1967, he purchased his fathers farm and continued farming until 1994 when ill health forced his retirement. He entered the Perham Memorial Home in March 2001. Ralph was a member of St. Henrys Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and as an usher. He also served as treasurer of the Gorman Town Board.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, Perham, MN; two sons, Mark (Kim) Palmer, Fargo, ND; and David (Stephanie) Palmer, Lake Park, MN; four grandchildren, Summer, Sophia, Jackson and Vanessa; his mother, Marie Palmer, Perham, MN; three sisters, Mary Ann Magloughlin, Baxter, MN; Anna Mae (Gary) Running, Tucson, AZ; and Delores (James) Pipers, Belleview, WA; one half brother, Robert, Clear Lake, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Ralph is preceded in death by his father, Robert, 1980; mother-in-law, Mathilda Frank, 1972; father-in-law, Albert Frank, 1982; and two brothers-in-law, Ron Frank, 1991; and Ken Magloughlin, 2003.
Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, MN, is in charge of the arrangements. (218) 346-5175. Online tributes may be posted on www.schoenebergerfuneralhome.com .
