Ralph Hest

Ralph Merton Hest, 87, Moorhead, MN, formerly of Perley, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Health of Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

Ralph was born on October 10, 1927, in Fargo, to John and Alva (Letness) Hest. He grew up on a farm near Perley and attended elementary school in Perley. He graduated from Borup, MN, high school in 1945. He married Ethel Houglum at Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, on November 20, 1948. Ralph and Ethel were blessed with seven children.

As a young man, Ralph farmed with his father and eventually took over the farm. They raised wheat, barley, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, corn, and had a dairy herd. Ralph took great pride in his Grade A dairy cows and often sang to them in the barn. He sold the herd in 1974 and continued to farm with his son, Bryan, until his retirement in 1989. Following his retirement, he and Ethel moved to Moorhead where Ralph expanded his woodworking hobby. He also continued to be interested in farming by following the markets, checking the crops, and working in the field up through his 87th birthday last fall.

Ralph was devoted to his wife and family. They all knew how much he loved and cherished each one of them. He also had a strong faith and was a lifelong member of Kirkebo Lutheran Church in Perley. He served in almost every position in the church. His dedication and kindness will be missed at Kirkebo. He was an accomplished singer and performed for many baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Other community service included 4H, School Board, Dollars for Scholars, Eventide Board, Lee Township Board, and the Perley-Lee Township Fire Department. Ralph was a faithful servant and humble man - his gentle soul will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ethel; and six children, Rick (Barb), Eagle Bend, MN, Jim (Terry), Grygla, MN, Russ (Joyce), Moorhead, Bruce (Cheryl), Minot, ND, Bryan (Theresa), Perley, and Becky (Dave) Smart, Ada, MN. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law, Carol Midthune, Betty Blevins, Bev Hest, and Geri Houglum.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, John Hest; his daughter, Nancy Hest; sisters-in-law, Ruby Miller and Clare Houglum; and brothers-in-law, Myron Miller, Arvid Houglum, Edward Houglum, and Andreen Midthune.

Visitation for Ralph will be Sunday, January 4, 2015, from 4 - 7 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead. The funeral will be Monday, January 5, 2015, at 10:30 AM in Kirkebo Lutheran Church, Perley. Burial will be in Kirkebo Lutheran Cemetery, rural Perley.