Ralph Sandager Hansen

Ralph Sandager Hansen was born May 14, 1919 in Luck, Wisconsin to Thorvald and Bodil (Sandager) Hansen. He grew up near West Denmark, Wisconsin, being baptized and confirmed at West Denmark Church. He attended Polk country school for his elementary education, and graduated from Milltown High School in 1938. Ralph moved to Tyler, Minnesota to work on the farm of his uncle, Richard Sandager. He met Ruth Jensen at a Mardi Gras dance at Danebod when (in answer to Ruth’s prayer) he asked her to dance. On November 20, 1941 Ralph and Ruth were married at Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. Their union was blessed with four daughters and 70 years of life together. The couple farmed south of Tyler from 1941-1997, when they retired and moved into town. They moved to Danebod Village in 2004, and in 2012 the couple became residents of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home. There, with his family at his side, Ralph passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the age of 93 years, 3 months, and 30 days.

Ralph was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church, where he participated in the men’s club. His hobby was golfing, but he also enjoyed playing cards, having coffee with his coffee buddies, and spending time with his family. In earlier years Ralph and Ruth spent their winters in Arizona.

Ralph is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ruth; his four daughters: Elizabeth Baxter and her husband William of Phoenix, Arizona, Karma Dingman and her husband Richard of Littleton, Colorado, Ruthann Dorn and her husband Darwin of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Gail Newell and her special friend Neil Enderson of Tyler; 10 grandchildren: Chris Dupre, Megan Dupre, Daralyn (Ed) Hein, Derek (Nikki) Cady, Patrick Dingman, Dana Dorn, Shannon (Todd) Traeder, Shawna (Matt) Smith, Amie (Tim) Lingen, and Justin (Missy) Newell; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brothers Alfred (and Anne) Hansen of Chicago, Illinois and Ejvind Hansen of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law Virginia Hansen of Universal City, Texas; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thorvald and Bodil Hansen; and brothers Niels, Erik, and Viggo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Danebod Lutheran Church or Danebod Folk School.