Ralph Nathe

Ralph A. Nathe, age 73 of Sauk Centre, died Sunday, December 19, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota after battling heart disease.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 22 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. James Statz will officiate with interment following in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Ralph Nathe was born on September 24, 1937 in Lake Henry, Minnesota to Theodore and Rose (Inderrieden) Nathe. He was a graduate of Melrose High School where he played football for coach Omer Sieben. On July 18, 1981 he married JoAnn Huisentruit at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He farmed on the family farm in Melrose Township, Stearns County until 1986. They moved to Sauk Centre in 1988. He then worked for Stearns County DHIA in Sauk Centre and Jennie-O Turkey Store in Melrose until retiring in 2010.Ralph enjoyed fishing, especially fishing trips to Canada, and hunting. He played fast-pitch softball for many years and was also an avid bowler. He enjoyed watching sporting events, especially the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings.

Ralph was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Aid, and Bishop Busch Council 4863 Knights of Columbus.

Ralph is survived by his wife, JoAnn Nathe of Sauk Centre; daughter, Kristen Nathe of West St. Paul; sisters, Sally Zirbes of Sauk Centre, Cathy (Jerry) Weyland of Brooklyn Center, and Arlene (Pete) Schroeder of Lino Lakes; brother, Willie (Eileen) Nathe of Zimmerman; brother-in-law, John Rugloski of Baxter; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Nathe of Melrose and Verena Nathe of Sauk Centre; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Millie Zirbes, Irene Rugloski, and Margaret Johnson; brothers, Hermie and Lambert Nathe; and brothers-in-law, Al and Hubert Zirbes, and Dave Johnson.

Serving as casket bearers will be his nephews, Lee Schroeder, Jeff Zirbes, Patrick Rugloski, Greg, Alan, and Tom Nathe. Cross bearer will be Sara Rugloski, scripture bearer will be Carolee Kinde, and gift bearers will be Judy Berscheid, Diane Winter, and Andrea Bick. Honorary bearers will be David Zirbes, Bruce Rugloski, Scott, and Steve Nathe, Bob Hoeschen, Dean Bienusa, and Michael Zirbes.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Family School in Sauk Centre.