Ralph and Jeanne Possehl

Patricia "Jeanne" Possehl, 85, died Thursday, October 2, 2014, and Ralph H. Possehl, 87, died Wednesday, December 3, 2014, both in Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead.

Patricia Jeanne Shirley was born June 13, 1929, the daughter of Norman W. and Olive (Johnsgard) Shirley, in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1945. Upon graduation she went to work for Bell Telephone in Fargo.

Ralph Harris Possehl was born June 7, 1927, the son of Rudy and Lella "Nan" (Cornish) Possehl, in Barnesville, MN. He grew up in Comstock, MN, where he attended Comstock schools. At the age of 17, with permission from his parents, he entered the U.S. Navy serving as a Fireman during WWII. Upon his return home, he attended Concordia College where he played football. He then went to work for Fargo Glass and Paint.

On October 28, 1948, Ralph and Jeanne were united in marriage in Fargo. They moved to Comstock where Ralph worked with his father as a bulk agent for Standard Oil. After a few years, Ralph took over the bulk agency in Wolverton, MN. While living in Wolverton he also served as mayor. In 1973, Ralph and Jeanne moved to Breckenridge, MN, where along with Jeanne's assistance, ran the Standard Bulk Service and started the Wilkin Transportation Bus Company until retiring in 1988. During his years in Breckenridge, he served as mayor and for many years on the City Council. In 1997, Ralph served as interim mayor during the 1997 flood. In 2008, they moved to Moorhead.

They were members of Breckenridge Lutheran Church for many years, where Jeanne was active in Ladies Study Club and Ralph served on the church council. Since moving to Moorhead they have been members of The Lutheran Church of Christ The King.

Jeanne enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, ceramics and was also an animal lover, especially her two cats. Ralph loved sports and politics and was very instrumental in developing fast pitch softball in the Comstock-Wolverton area. Together they enjoyed their lake home on Otter Tail Lake, MN, enjoyed family and being with their grandchildren, and were avid Minnesota Twins fans.

Survivors include their daughter, Susan (Jeff) Jenson, Otter Tail Lake, MN; grandchildren, Erin (Dan) Walters, Fargo, Anna Kalbus, Fargo, Erik Matthew, Pensacola, FL, and Alex (Allie) Jenson, Ramsey, MN; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Mia and Dane Walters, Emelia Matthew, and Aiden Kalbus; foreign exchange student and longtime dear friend, Kurt Hjortshoj, Horsens, Denmark.

They were preceded in death by their parents; two infant children; Ralph's sister, Marilyn Nelson; and Jeanne's brother, Robert Shirley.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/community/min_community_fund.jsp

In honor of Ralph and Jeanne's avid love for the Minnesota Twins everyone is in invited to wear their Twins gear for the Memorial Service.

A Memorial Service for the couple will take place Sunday, December 7, 2014, at 2:00 PM in The Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead.

Burial will take place in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Sabin, MN.

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead)