Ralph Walters

Ralph J. Walters, age 87 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, July 20, 2013 at his home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Ralph John Walters was born May 3, 1926 in Elrosa, Minnesota to John and Emma (Rodekuhr) Walters. On April 19, 1948 he married Esther Koepplin at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. He was a dedicated dairy farmer, lastly north of Sauk Centre, and retired in 1975. In 1982 he formed Walters Trucking, Inc. with his son, Dave, and actively drove truck until he was 75 years old. In his early years he enjoyed motorcycling and snowmobiling. In his later years Ralph loved spending time with his family, playing cards and going to tractor pulls with his son. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Esther Walters of Sauk Centre; son, David (Mary) Walters of Sauk Centre; granddaughter, Stacey Lhotka of Alexandria; two great-grandchildren, Jameson and Jada McAdoo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers, Elmer and Robert Ziegelman; and half-sister, Agnes Oppegard.

Serving as casket bearers will be Otto, Pete and George Koepplin, Andy Wiegers, Tim Schleicher, Clifford Jennissen, and Wayne Hansmann. Honorary bearers will be Allie and Mike Hoeschen, Butch VonWahlde, Jim Becker, Colleen Lommen, Darren Trousil, Richard Cunningham, Steve and Bonnie Donnay, Rod Grove, Harris Ziegelman, Barry, Dawn, Jessica and Emily Larson.