To watch Ralph's service, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTq9Th2NO1c
Ralph Schultz of Hazen, formerly of Fredonia, ND passed away on September 26th at Sakakawea Medical Center surrounded by his family. Services will be held at 11:00 AM CDT, Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Ferdonia, ND with Mary Jo Kinzler officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Ralph, son of Leonard and Ida (Krueger) Schultz was born on January 6th, 1947 in Edgeley, ND. He was raised on his parent’s farm 2 miles north of Fredonia. Ralph attended country school and Fredonia Public School through the 8th grade and he graduated from Kulm High School and Waldorf College in Forest City, IA. While in Iowa for college he worked as a parts man for Eymann’s John Deere and he was also a member of the Waldorf College Choir. Due to his father’s declining health Ralph took over the family farm instead of continuing his education to become a Lutheran minister. He was awarded the NDSU Harvest Bowl Farmer of the Year of Logan County in 1986. Ralph continued to farm until he retired in 1999.
On July 1st, 1968 Ralph and Loretta Jonas were married at Martin Luther Lutheran Church where Ralph was a member all his life. He served on the church council and was a strong presence as a bass singer in the choir. He was also an active member of the Fredonia Lions club, rural fire department and the Fredonia Economic Development where he worked to make improvements to his hometown by securing loans and grants to build a café, clinic and a hair salon to provide services and jobs for people in the community. He also served 2 terms as a Logan County Commissioner from 1990-1998, he was awarded the Top Contributor award among ND commissioners in 1992.
Ralph never had any music lessons but he played several instruments, he is most remembered for playing the accordion but he also enjoyed playing the guitar and the dobro. In 1980 he teamed up with Don Heck and they formed “Da Heck Mit Schultz Band.” There were several other musicians who joined the band periodically through the years but Ralph and Don were always together for nearly 40 years playing at weddings, street dances, and various other social events. He spoke fluent German and he frequently sang in German while they played a polka or waltz. The band recorded 2 albums during the years together so his voice and music can forever be enjoyed by his family and friends. He had the pleasure of joining various other musicians from around the U.S. and Canada while he and Loretta wintered in Yuma, AZ for 13 years where he played frequently at jam sessions and dances. Ralph was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. One of the most notable things about his life is that he had a special way of making every single moment into a memory, no matter where he was at, or what he was doing, he made it memorable.
Ralph and Loretta moved to Hazen in 2012 where he enjoyed attending his granddaughters’ activities from rodeo to track and basketball. He and Loretta also frequently traveled to California to watch the granddaughter’s dance competitions. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Loretta, son Jeff (Su) of San Diego, CA and daughter Patty (Shawn) Mosset of Hazen, ND and his 5 granddaughters Haley and Madison Schultz, and Sydney, Myah and Miranda Mosset. A niece Berni (Levi) Konsor of Kimball, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Mabel and nephew Owen Ziebart.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to Sakakawea Hospice or the Martin Luther Lutheran Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen and Beulah.
https://youtu.be/FTq9Th2NO1c
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