Ralph Abraham died Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson, MN at the age of 88.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Dawson. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at 3 to 5 PM with a prayer service starting at 5 PM at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.
Ralph Leo Abraham was born August 2, 1928 in Omro Township of Yellow Medicine County to Leo and Lena (Antony) Abraham. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. He attended school in Yellow Medicine County. He served in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict, receiving an Honorable Discharge in September 1952. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge for excellent performance of duty in ground combat.
In April of 1952, Ralph was united in marriage to Vivian Fox in Canby, MN. To this union, five children were born: Sherry, Lori, Mike, Jeff, and Kim. Ralph and Viv started farming in 1953. They moved to the farm east of Dawson in 1955. As young farmers, it took sometime for their knowledge of their craft to take shape and so they started out farming with “red”. After some years they found the error of their ways and moved to “green”. After all, red means stop and green means go they would later say to each other. Ralph retired from farming in 1991 but he was able to make his last ride in the big green tractor in the spring of 2016. Ralph and Vivian moved into Dawson in 2002
Ralph was very active in his church, having served on the parish council, was secretary of the Men’s Club, and served as an usher for over 25 years. He was a lifetime member of the Strand-Saboe VFW Post 5247 of Dawson. In later years, before his stroke, he could be found spending most of his time in his woodwork shop at his home. He enjoyed making wood items to be given to family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, puzzles, and playing cards. His greatest love was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a very good natured, fun loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be dearly missed.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Vivian; children: Sherry (Gary) Jeseritz of Algona, IA, Lori (Richard) Wold of Boyd, MN, Mike (Glenda) Abraham of Maynard, MN, Jeff (Dar) Abraham of Dawson, MN and Kim (Kimberly) Abraham of Ghent, MN; 12 grandchildren: Jeremy (Jessica) Jeseritz, Kelly (Matt) Danilson, Douglas (Nicole) Wold, Mandy (Tyler) Leopold, Matthew (Lauren) Wold, Kari (Mike) Karsky, Cody Abraham, Dylan Abraham, Ashley Abraham, Keith Abraham, Jade Abraham, and Bria Abraham; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Lambert (Alice) Abraham of St. Leo, MN; sisters: Anita Kockelman of Dawson, MN, Viola Fox of St. Leo, MN, Lavina Fox of Slayton, MN, Betty Lauck of Folsom, CA, and Joyce Rueckert of New Ulm, MN; and brother-in-law, Bob Stafford.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers: Arnold, Clarence, and LeRoy; sisters: Eleanor Eischens, Mildred Eischens, Bernice Stafford, and one in infancy; 7 brothers-in-law; and 3 sisters-in-law.
Blessed be his memory.