Ralph E. Sunde

RALPH ELWOOD SUNDE was born in Vienna Township, Rock County, Minnesota to Ingolf and Alma (Halverson) Sunde on January 11, 1926. He received his education at Kenneth Grade School and Luverne High School, graduating with the class of 1943. He farmed with his father for five years and then enrolled in Waldorf Junior College in Forest City, Iowa, graduating in 1950 with an Associates of Arts Degree in Business Administration. On September 28, 1950 Ralph was inducted into the United States Army and served with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He received his honorable discharge on June 28, 1952, having attained the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the honors of CIB, Purple Heart Medal, Korean Service Medal, two Bronze Service Stars and Dist. Unit Citation. He then returned to Kenneth and farmed with his father and brother-in-law. In January 1961, Ralph moved to Harris, Iowa where he was employed by Gramstad Lumber Company. In January 1966, he became employed by Berkley Fishing Tackle in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He retired from Berkley’s on April 29, 1992 and then returned to Luverne. During his retirement years, he enjoyed working as a school crossing guard and for 15 years helped children cross the busy U.S. Highway 75. Ralph could be found out and about the town, having a cup of coffee, visiting or scratching a lottery ticket. His smile and cordial greeting will be remembered by many.

On Friday, January 13, 2017 Ralph died peacefully under hospice care at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 91 years and two days.

Ralph was a 25 year member of the Emergency Brigade of Berkley and served on the Harris Volunteer Fire Department and Harris Industrial Development Corporation, serving as treasurer, for many years. He was a lifetime member of Kenneth Lutheran Church and served at various times as secretary, treasurer, financial secretary, deacon, and president. He enjoyed bowling, listening to country music, traveling and learning about his Norwegian heritage. He belonged to Sons of Norway – Gjoa Lodge #65 of Sioux Falls and served as Inner Guard for several years. He also held membership in Agder Lag, Nordfjord Lag, Sunnfjord Lag and Valdres Sambrand. He traveled to Norway several times to visit relatives. He also took his nieces and nephews along with him on his many trips within the United States. During his earlier years, Ralph was a member of the Lake Park American Legion Post #371 and later, transferred his membership to the Dell Hogan (Luverne) American Legion Post #123. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association and received the South Korean Veterans Ambassador for Peace Medal as an expression of appreciation from the Korean government in January 2016. He was very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Freedom Honor Flight to Washington DC on May 2, 2015 from the La Crosse, Wisconsin district.

Ralph is lovingly remembered by his brother, David Sunde of Preston, Minnesota; 13 nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ingolf and Alma Sunde; five siblings, Burnell Sunde, Eileen (Walter) Kopp, Merlin Sunde, Ruth (Harry) James, and Avis (James) Schroder; and a sister-in-law, Kay Sunde.

Memorials may be directed to the Kenneth Cemetery Association.