Ralph T. Mann passed away at his home in Goodhue on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 at the age of 87. Ralph Theodore Mann was born on April 7, 1929 in Red Wing, Minn. to Theodore and Clara (Johnson) Mann. He attended rural grade school and later attended Minnesota School of Agriculture graduating in 1947. He returned home to the family farm to farm. He lived on the farm all of his life. Ralph was proud of his heritage and was recognized for having a sesquicentennial farm. He married Patricia Majerus on Sept. 13, 1951 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellechester, Minn. He was a member of St. Mary's Church, Bellechester, Minn., and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Ralph farmed the family farm until the late 1970s when one of the sons took over. He then drove truck for Verne Rucker, hauling sweet corn. He later started to drive for O'Reilly Bus Co in Goodhue, Minn. This was his favorite job, he really enjoyed the kids. He enjoyed watching baseball whether the Twins or the Legion teams in the early '60s. He also loved to fly and had his pilot's license. He belonged to the Hiawatha Valley Pilot Association at the Red Wing airport. He served as PTA President for the Goodhue School District. Mostly Ralph enjoyed his family. He enjoyed all of our rather noisy picnics and holidays. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Pat; six children: Teresa (Alan) Breuer, Lake City, Kathy (Henry) Thomforde, Goodhue, Mike (Mary Rose) Mann, Belle Creek, Mary Beth Mann (Dave Carlson), Welch, Joe (Mary) Mann, Goodhue, and Steve Mann, Goodhue; 23 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jackie Kane, Hastings, Audrey Baker, Red Wing, Janet Majerus, Rosemount, Judy Lodermeier (Gary), of Cottage Grove, Corrine (Neil) Stehr, Lake City; two brothers-in-law John Majerus, Bellechester, Minn., Greg (Mary) Majerus, Bellechester, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and sister Ellen Scharpen, one son-in-law and three brothers-in-law. A memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 12, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellechester. The Rev. Randal Kasel will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday Dec. 11, at St. Mary's Church. Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls is assisting the family. Online condolences are welcome at www.lundbergfuneral.com.
Guestbook