Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph Roberts, 75, of Marshall will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019, with a CCW rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home. Visitation will continue one hour prior the service at the church. Interment will be at a later date.
Ralph Edward Roberts was born on September 2nd, 1943, in Marshall, MN, to Albert and Dorothy (Cook) Roberts. Ralph grew up in Marshall and New Ulm and many other places. He quit school to go to work to help his family. Ralph was united in marriage to Beverly DeGroot on February 6th, 1965. The couple was married for 54 years and raised four children together. Ralph worked various jobs in and around Marshall, including at Marshall Fur Farm, Processing Plant, Marshall Produce, Swifts Turkey Plant, Appleton Silo, and Fagen-Brownlee-Hayes, then MCP/ADM, where he retired in 2006. After retiring, Ralph also worked for Viessman Trucking for a time.
Ralph always had an open door policy; whether someone was down on their luck or just wanted to talk and hang out, they were always welcome. Ralph loved the outdoors, including fishing and working on cars. He also enjoyed playing pull tabs with his brother Bill when he came to visit. Ralph’s favorite hobby was working on derby cars and driving them at the Lyon County Fair and various other fairs around the area. He passed along the tradition of the demolition derby to his children and grandchildren. Ralph’s passion was his grandchildren, taking pride in teaching them the right from the wrong. Ralph also enjoyed sitting in front of his house watching cars go by on the highway, and he would wave at Buffalo Ridge Concrete trucks that went by. Ralph loved to socialize with friends and special people in his life, including his uncle Kenny and aunt Margaret Cole and uncle Mose Roberts.
Ralph died unexpectedly on Friday, July 12th, 2019, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He is survived by his wife Bev of Marshall; children David Roberts of Mankato, Vallerie (Denny) Breczinski of Marshall, Kathy (Dale) Lanners of Marshall, and John “Johnny” Roberts of Marshall; grandchildren Nathan Roberts, Matthew Roberts, Brent Breczinski, Christine Lanners, Derek Breczinski, Julie Lanners, and Zach Roberts; great-grandchild Becca Roberts; sisters Jan Bergjord of Fulda and Charlotte Miller of Marshall; brothers Delbert (Carla) of New Ulm, Bill of Eden Prairie, Dick of Marshall, Ron (Marlene) of Plymouth, Tim (Theresa) of Fulda, and Terry (Minnette) of Mapleton; family friends Byron and Barb Maranell and Carla (Maranell) Linafelter; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Dorothy, brothers Roger and Larry, grandparents John and Mable (Vogt) Roberts and Archie and Dora Ann (Weber) Cook, stillborn granddaughter Madison, son’s fiancé Crystal Towne, two sisters-in-law Grace Roberts and Helen Lamprecht, brother-in-law Bruce DeGroot, uncle Kenny and aunt Margaret, and uncle Mose.
Blessed be his memory.
