Ralph Meyer, 72

Published 10:31 am Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Ralph Meyer, 72, of Rochester, Minn., passed away  peacefully early Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Meyer

He was born May 8, 1941, in Owatonna, Minn., to August and Grace (Kubista) Meyer. He grew up in Brownsdale, Minn., and graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1959.

After high school, Ralph traveled throughout the country and experienced many life adventures. He worked at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, Calif.,  the Chinese New Year in San Francisco and picked apples in Seattle, Wash., to name a few.

After traveling around the country, he returned to Minnesota in 1962, and met his love of 50 years, Patricia Gahagan, of Austin, Minn. They were then married in July of 1963, at our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Brownsdale. The couple then settled in Rochester, where Ralph was employed with Edwards Sheet Metal, later becoming Tom Brogan Heating & Air Conditioning. He retired in 2002.

Ralph enjoyed life to the fullest and loved his family with all his heart. He was the very best husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a friend to many. He enjoyed spending time at his cabin in northern Minnesota, annual trips to Arizona in the winter, and venturing off on driving-destination trips across the country. For those who knew him best, he was always in the middle of several projects, as he loved being busy.

Ralph is survived by his wife Patricia, three daughters, Brenda (Dave) Johnson, of Chatfield, Minn.;  Jenny Meyer, of Chicago; Christine Meyer, of Chicago; three granddaughters, Melissa Mattson, of Chicago; Krista Mattson, of Chatfield; and Megan Johnson, of Chatfield;  two great-granddaughters- Rosalie and Kendall, as well as his loyal and loving companion, dog Mattie.

He is also survived by sisters Judy (Neil) Knutson, of Brownsdale; Janet Meyer, of Minneapolis; Suzanne (David) Wilson, of Hudson, Wis.; Cecile Kling, of Minneapolis; and Phyllis Johnson, of Rochester.

He was preceded in death by parents and sister, Mary Wilson.

The family would like to his thank all of his friends and family who have supported Ralph through his illness and journey. They would also like to thank physicians and advocates at the Mayo Clinic; Dr. Timothy Olson; Dr. Michael Kidd; Dr. John Fitz; Dr. Lowell Dale, Janet Nelson, RN, and Lynn Borkenhagen, RN, CNP  and Mayo Hospice Care.

The funeral mass for Ralph will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at the Church of the Resurrection. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.