Ralph Lauritzen was born August 17, 1928 in Viborg, SD to parents Holger and Marie (Smith) Lauritzen. He passed away on June 28, 2014 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg, SD at the age of 85 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Ralph attended Viborg Public Schools, graduating in 1946. He then worked in the oil fields in California and on road construction in South Dakota. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 until being honorably discharged in 1954. Ralph married Marilyn Nelson on February 12, 1956. The couple made their home in the rural Centerville area where Ralph farmed and raised feeder cattle for 50 years. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Viborg and was currently a member of Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville. He was also a member of the Viborg American Legion. He enjoyed dancing and in his younger years was a motorcycle enthusiast, having traveled extensively on his Harley and Indian bikes. Ralph’s occupation, hobby and passion was the farm. He loved working the land, raising cattle and just being on his farm place.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Johnson.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn Lauritzen of Viborg; daughter Michelle (Edward) Burke, Brookings and son Craig (Christi) Lauritzen, Dell Rapids; 4 grandchildren, Rachel and Lauren Burke and Megan and Allison Lauritzen; step grandson Jadin Wendland; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Scandia Lutheran Church, Centerville, with burial at Riverview Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6PM to 8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.  Condolences may be left at www.wassfuneralhome.com