Ralph Wesser

Beloved father, Ralph R. Wesser Sr., 87, passed away peacefully at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska, on February 29, 2016. He had been a resident of Wasilla and a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 2006.

Ralph was born in Mineola, New York, to Charles Martin Wesser Sr. and Clara Jegerlehner Wesser on April 12, 1928, the youngest of his brother, Charles Jr. and sister, Dolly. Ralph graduated from Manhasset High School, later attending Hofstra University and the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He began his career in the very early days of information technology, starting with Republic Aviation and then Colgate-Palmolive, both in New York. Later moving to Waukegan, Illinois, Ralph spent the balance of his career with Outboard Marine Corporation, retiring from there after 30-plus years of service.

With his first wife, Mary Ann Clarke Wesser, Ralph became the proud father of four sons. He later married Brunhilde Johnson Wesser, adopting her three sons, allowing him to boast of his now seven sons. Ralph deeply cherished his life with “Brun”, raising their family in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. With their sons grown, he and Brun retired to their vacation home in Winter, Wisconsin. Seeking warmer weather, they later moved to Murphy, North Carolina, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, bringing the added blessing of being close to his niece, Jill and her family. While in West Virginia, Ralph suffered the heartbreaking loss of Brun to cancer, and soon after Brun’s death he moved to Wasilla, Alaska, to be closer to three of his sons.

Ralph is survived by six of his seven sons, Ralph Jr. (wife Wendy) of Wasilla, Kevin of Durand, Wisconsin, Frank (wife Sara) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Charles (wife Kris) of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Todd (wife Emily) of Riverside, California, and Jim (wife Annie) of Huntsville, Alabama. Ralph’s youngest son, Tom, preceded his death due to cancer. Ralph is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to his offspring, he is survived by three nieces, Jill Patience, of West Virginia and Judith Moulton, of Vermont, daughters of his brother, Charles Jr.; and Carol Jean Meadows, of New York, daughter of his sister Dolly.

Memories of Ralph’s life include the times spent on the many hunting and fishing adventures with his sons and grandsons, his stalwart life example, being a favorite uncle, his outgoing and friendly personality, willingness to pitch in and help family members and friends, supporting his wife Brun as she dedicated herself to community service in Winthrop Harbor, his love of animals and pets, his constant love and support for sons and family.

A memorial service will be held September 26, at Woodbury Lutheran Church, Valley Creek Campus, Woodbury, Minnesota.