Ralph Joseph Lais

RALPH JOSEPH LAIS was born September 30, 1923 to Mark and Martha (Fritz) Lais in Lismore, Minnesota. He attended Catholic school in St. Kilian through the 8th grade then worked on the farm and at a body shop in Adrian, Minnesota. In January of 1946 Ralph was drafted by the United States Army and reported to Fort Snelling. After serving during the Korean War Ralph was honorably discharged at Fort Sheridan in Illinois and returned home to Minnesota. On August 30, 1951 Ralph was united in marriage to Mildred Heikes at St. Mary Church in Ellsworth, Minnesota. The couple made their first home in Adrian and after 4 years moved just south of Ellsworth while Ralph worked as a laborer for a local farmer. They moved the family to Magnolia, Minnesota in 1959 and there they raised their seven children while Ralph worked at the Elevator in Magnolia. He retired from the Elevator in 1985. In 2004 Ralph became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota where on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 he died peacefully at the age of 91 years, 10 months and 18 days.

Ralph was member of St. Catherine Church in Luverne. He enjoyed gardening and hobby farming. He was also known as a “Mr. Fix-it” kind of man who restored and repurposed many items. Ralph was an avid sports fan. He especially kept track of the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and enjoyed attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren.

Ralph will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years Mildred of Magnolia, Minnesota; and his seven children, Alan and his wife Sharon Lais of Luverne, Minnesota, Patricia and her husband Dale Kiebach of Harrisburg, South Dakota, Dan and his wife Darla Lais of Brandon, South Dakota, Paul and his wife Kathy Lais of Springfield, Missouri, Joyce and her husband John Schmidt of Pipestone, Minnesota, Dean Lais of Protivin, Iowa, and Connie Lais of Magnolia, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Grace Persing of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and a brother, Alfred and his wife Betty Lais of Rochester, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Martin, Francis, Leander, Urban, Lawrence Lais; and a sister, Mildred Balk.