Ralph Frederick Perry

Ralph Frederick Perry passed away peacefully at home on his precious Bobcat on January 16, 2025.

Ralph was born in Bigstone County in Minnesota in 1939 as the oldest of three boys, growing up on his father’s “Cass Co. Claim” farm west of Pine River. He was a Class of 57’ Pine River graduate and served in the Airforce in crash rescue and was stationed in Morocco, Africa. 

Ralph went to night school for his boilers license, worked at Hoist, and lived in Bloomington. He worked for “Fritz” general excavation for years. He moved to St. Hilaire, MN, and owned a station and tow service there. After leaving St. Hilaire, Ralph worked in Fairbanks, AK, seasonally for 2 years before he bought his own oil business in Pine River, MN, where he settled again for the rest of his life. Ralph was a member of the Legion for 54 years, served as a member of the Post 613 Color Guard for 50 years, and was a member of the 40/8 for 32 years. 

Ralph met Diana (his Matilda) in 1992. After 12 years of living together, they decided it was going to work and “hell froze over”. They married in 2004. He inherited two sons and a daughter that he unconditionally loved, later being blessed with grandchildren that were the ultimate love of his life. His influence on them was strong. They’d get home and tell Mom and Dad they could run like a thief in the night, and many other words of wisdom they learned from him.

Ralph influenced his nieces and nephews lives over the years also, which they have many loving and humorous memories and stories to cling to…here’s to a great uncle (Unk).

Ralph is survived by his wife, Diana; son, Travis (Wanita), grandchildren, Jacob Johnson of Backus, Jessica Johnson of Backus, Addeline Mitchell of Fargo, and Mackenzie Rubitschung of Boston; daughter-in-law, Kim Johnson of Boston; sister-in-law, Joanna Perry of Pine River; father-in-law, David Anderson of Backus; brothers-in-law, David Anderson (Jody) of Grand Rapids, Michael Anderson (Rill) of Pine River, and Randy Anderson (Di) of Plains, MT; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. 

Ralph was preceded in death by his grandparents and special Grammy, Thelma; his parents, Ross Perry and Marie (Larson); brothers, Jimmy and Mel; sister-in-law, Jeannette; daughter, Jessica Holmgren; and son, Ryan Johnson.

Ralph was a hard-working, loving, fun man that was definitely one of a kind. He will be remembered with love, laughter, and tears until we meet again. We love you.

A visitation will be held from 5PM-7PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Pine River. A service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 24, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Pine River with a visitation the hour prior.