Ralph A. Wermerskirchen, age 90 of Jordan, MN passed away peacefully at his home on January 21, 2017.
Ralph was born May 31, 1926, on the family farm that was passed on to generations for over 150 years. He was the sixth of seven children born to Guido and Lena (Lambrecht) Wermerskirchen. Ralph entered the Army in 1945, and then returned home to the farm.
Ralph married Myrna LaVelle on October 23 rd , 1954 in Jordan. They were blessed with seven children who were taught the importance of hard work. Ralph was larger than life in many ways, from his large hands, gigantic pumpkins, bottomless appetite, and “one that got away”. One of Ralph’s proudest moments was appearing on the David Letterman show with his prize boar that was featured in the Minnesota State Fair for two years. Later in life Ralph became an electrician, lighting up the IDS Center, Metrodome, and many other downtown buildings, as he served alongside his brothers of the I.B.E.W. #292. Ralph was also a member of The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Aid. In retirement, he spent his time fishing, hunting, tending to his fruit trees, and meeting with his buddies at the sales barn.
Survived by wife, Myrna; son, Douglas (Aimee) Wermerskirchen; daughters, Linda (Dave) Mayerhofer, Gloria (Bruce) Ahlbrecht, Mary (Dave) Hanson, Pamela (Bill) Strand, Kimberly (Jeff) Rook, and Rebecca (Eric) Krieger; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also, survived by siblings, Paul (Marilyn) Wermerskirchen and Julianne Carpentier.
Preceded in death by parents, Guido and Lena Wermerskirchen; siblings, Walter (Evelyn), Viola (Arthur) Deutsch, Roman (Ruth), Melvin (Loretta), and Roger Carpentier.
The visitation will be on Friday, January 27 th, from 4-7pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Jordan Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 28 th at 11 am, with visitation one hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Jordan. Father Timothy Yanta will preside. Interment will be at St. John Calvary Cemetery, Jordan. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Ralph’s memory by the family.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Wermerskirchen family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
