Ralph Middendorf

Ralph H. Middendorf, age 66 of Sauk Centre, died on Monday, February 9, 2004 at his daughter's home in Melrose after a battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. Todd Schneider and Rev. Tim Wenzel will concelebrate with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home in Sauk Centre followed by Sauk Centre United Veterans at 7 p.m.

Ralph Middendorf was born on June 1, 1937 in Sauk Centre Township, Stearns County to Joseph W., Sr. and Veronica (Toenyan) Middendorf. He served in the U.S. Navy from March, 1956 to October, 1957. On June 28, 1960 he married Edna R. Oevermann at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple farmed together east of Sauk Centre in Melrose Township, Stearns County, until Edna passed away in 1989. Ralph continued to farm until his semi-retirement in 1998.

Ralph truly enjoyed helping out on the boy's farms, fishing, hunting and hanging out with his family and friends. When you remember Ralph, think of all the good jokes and stories he shared with us and his great sense of humor. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and American Legion Post 67.

Survivors include five children, Mary (Virgil) Primus of Melrose, Roger (Mary Kay) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Patrick (Carol) Middendorf of Grey Eagle, Robert (Nancy) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Cindy (Duane) Duevel of Melrose; 17 grandchildren; brothers and sisters, George (Marilynn) Middendorf, William Middendorf, LeRoy (Adeline) Middendorf, Joseph (Luella) Middendorf, Margaret (John) Klasen, Arthur (JoAnn) Middendorf and Gerald (Diane) Middendorf and, all of Sauk Centre, Victor (Florence) Middendorf of Freeport, and Elizabeth "Betty" (Ronald) Thieschafer of Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna on December 10, 1989; sons, Charles, Carl, Dean and infant son; two infant sisters; two infant grandsons, Bradley Middendorf and Joel Primus.

Serving as casket bearers will be Heather and Eric Primus, Nick, Tony, Justin and Jenny Middendorf. Cross bearer will be Samantha Middendorf and scripture bearer will be Charles Middendorf. Honorary bearers will be Ray and Elmer VonWahlde, Norb, Bob, Tom and Bill Wessel, Allen and David Gamradt, Dennis and Mike Primus, Virgil Niehaus, Ervin Schmiesing, Dick Borgerding, Ken Groetsch, Arnie Soenneker, Walter Rehkamp, John Hellermann, Leo Wiener and Jerry Kulzer. Gift bearers will be Shannon and Ashley Middendorf and lector will be Eric Primus.