Ralph O. Schjeldahl, 84, Sturgeon Lake, died March 11, 2010, at Mercy Hospital, Moose Lake. He was born on Feb 15, 1926, in Highlandville, Iowa, to Theodore and Nettie (Opheim) Schjeldahl. In 1934 Ralph moved with is family to Sturgeon Lake, where he attended Willow River High School, and, after moving to California with his parents, graduated from Redondo Beach High School in 1943. Ralph enlisted in the Navy in 1944. He was seriously wounded in November 1944 in the South Pacific and was discharged in September 1945 after being awarded the Purple Heart. After returning to Minnesota, Ralph attended and graduated from Minneapolis Business College.
On July 3, 1949 Ralph was united in marriage to Grace Anderson in Mahtowa. They shared over 60 wonderful and adventurous years of married life.
Over the course of his life Ralph worked at Scott-Atwater, McCullough, and owned and operated with Grace, Ralph's Bar in Willow River. He was also employed at Moose Lake State Hospital and finished his career at the Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone, MN, as a warehouseman.
Ralph was loved by many, well known for story-telling, and his compassion and kindness to everyone. He enjoyed traveling, riding their ATV through the nature trails to their woodland cabins on the farm where they lived since 1963, feeding wildlife and mowing lawn. Ralph enjoyed the osprey nest internet webcam that he and Grace with their close friends and neighbors erected in 1996. The nesting birds have been viewed by people all over the world. Ralph was a member of American Legion Post 361, Sturgeon Lake - Denham and the Northern Pine Riders Snowmobile Club of Willow River.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; sister Ellen Anderson; brothers Eric and Ingolf; nephew Ronald Anderson; niece Delores Adamczak.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Grace; brother, Bud (Phyllis) Schjeldahl; his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Shelly; nieces, Sharon (Neil Nelson) Layon, Donna (Ed) Dahlberg, Julie (Paul), Nerothin, Connie Young, Mary Smith, Patty French, Noreen Gladen, Gloria (Chester) Jurek, Joyce (Stan) Holmes; nephews, Donald Schjeldahl, Bruce Schjeldahl, Silver (Bernice) Anderson, Danny Anderson, Wally Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Link (Debbie) Anderson, Ace High Anderson, Dennis DeSender; sister-in-law, Lillian Anderson; many great nieces and nephews, and very special friends Terry & Dianne Peterson.

Visitation was held on Monday, March 15, from 10 AM until the 11 AM service in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake with Pastor Nathan Anderson officiating. Interment was in Blomskog Cemetery, Windemere Township. Military Honors were provided by Sturgeon Lake-Denham American Legion Post #361. To sign the guestbook online, go to: www.hhkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.