Our beloved Father and Grandfather, Ralph D. Larson entered heaven on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the age of 94, surrounded by his children, while in Valley Senior Living Woodside Village, Grand Forks, ND.

Ralph was born December 12, 1927 in Grand Forks, ND to Julius and Esther (Erickson) Larson.  Ralph and his twin brother Ray were the first Larson kids to be born in a hospital.  Unaware she was going to have twins, when Esther was asked what she was going to do, having given birth to two kids instead of one, she replied, "well, I guess I'll keep them both".  Ralph attended Country Grade School and graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High School.  Towards the end of World War II, with their older brother Milt already serving,  Ralph and Ray were drafted.  After the Army, Ralph and Ray approached their father with a few hundred dollars severance pay and told him they wanted to farm.  As the story goes, Julius didn't think much of the idea, but in the end he let them use his equipment and the rest is history.

Ralph met the love of his life, Rhea, when at the bank applying for a car loan. Ralph asked Rhea out dancing and she gladly accepted. They were married on July 2, 1950. They spent the next 66 years together dancing, attending "Fighting Sioux" events, traveling and just loving life.

Ralph proudly served on the Board of Directors of American Crystal Sugar Company during the early days of purchasing the company.  Golf was Ralph's favorite game. He was so excited when he shot a hole in one at his home Country Club, Valley Golf.

Ralph experienced many great moments in life. However, his strong love and support for his family was always most important.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his family and all who loved him dearly. As his twin brother Ray put it Friday night, "You're going to a better place. I'll meet you there.  We'll see people from earlier days."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rhea on May 23, 2016; parents, Ester and Julius, older brother Milt, and older sister Loraine; sisters-in-law, Maggie, Joyce, Darlene; brothers-in-law, Duke, Ron, Gregor ("JR").

Ralph is survived by two sons, Dean and Dan Larson; and daughter Rhonda Larson, all of East Grand Forks, MN; brother, Ray (Irene) Larson of Angus, MN; grandchildren Callie, Bryce, Tiffany and Blake; great-granddaughter Kenley, sisters-in-law; Dorothy, Betty, Darlene, bothers-in-law; Darrel, Kenny, Mike; along with many nieces and nephews.

Thanks to Pastor Bud Johnson and everyone at Woodside Village who took such good care of him.

Memorial Service: 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 10321 State Highway 220 NW, East Grand Forks, MN

Visitation: One Hour Prior Memorial Service on Tuesday in Bethany Lutheran Church.

Inurnment: Bethany Lutheran Cemetery