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Ralph Emil Zander Obituary – 03/29/08


Ralph Emil Zander, age 86, of Howard Lake, died Saturday, March 29, 2008, at Waconia Ridgeview Hospital.

He was born May 17, 1921, in Howard Lake, to Walter and Luella (Prigge) Zander. Ralph was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and had been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Howard Lake since he was a young child.

Ralph was united in marriage to Ila Mae Quinn Sept. 25, 1941, at the Methodist Church of Delano. They were blessed with four children. Ila Mae died of polio Aug. 13, 1953.

On March 12, 1955, Ralph married Adeline Birkholz Waldorf.

Ralph farmed in rural Middleville Township, and was an employee of Cokato Coop Creamery Association.

After he sold the farm, he was employed by Teske Trucking and later, by Howard Lake Reddi-Mix, until he retired.

Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his children, Gwen (Kenton) Corum of Portland, Ore., Lerton (Lona) Zander of Long Prairie, Walter (Lynn) Zander of Salinas, Calif., Laura (Jerry) Latzig of Dassel, Darrell (Marge) Waldorf of Crystal, and Donna (Robert) Carpenter of Giese; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchldren; five great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Bernard (Mildred) Zander; and sisters Lauretta Warne and Mary Lou Teske; along with many other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife, Ila Mae, Ralph was preceded in death by an infant sister, Mary Ann; parents, Walter and Luella; a brother, Edward; his second wife, Adeline; four brothers-in-law; and one sister-in-law.

Funeral service took place Tuesday, April 1 at 1 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church of Howard Lake with the Rev. Joel Swedberg officiating. Music was provided by Grant Judd. Interment was at the Howard Lake Cemetery.

Visitation was Monday, March 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake.

Pallbearers were Christopher Zander, David Baumgart, Christopher Jacobs, Jeff Zvorak, Mike Carpenter, Nathan Krummel, and Steve Waldorf.

Arrangements were by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.

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