Ralph Majerus

ralph majerus

Ralph F. Majerus, 91, Fargo passed away Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo.

Ralph Francis Majerus was born May 1, 1922 to Matthew and Agnes Majerus in Padua, MN. At the age of four he moved with his family to Chicago, IL. He attended Sacred Heart grammar school and Harper High school. Ralph joined the Navy on September 8, 1942 and served about three years in the South Pacific. He was injured while in the Navy and spent several months at the Navy Hospital in Long Beach, CA.

Ralph met his wife Elaine Wegler in St. Cloud, MN., and they were married on April 14, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN. They lived in the St. Cloud area for about a year and then moved to Grand Forks, ND., where Ralph began working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad (formerly known as the Great Northern Railroad.) In 1971, they moved to Fargo and he continued working for the railroad. Ralph was employed with BNSF Railroad for 37 ½ years. After his retirement, he spent about five years working part-time at the FargoDome. Ralph and Elaine spent many years wintering in Mesa, AZ., and the summer months were spent at Star Lake near Dent, MN. While on Star Lake, Ralph and Elaine fished every day, if possible. Ralph missed his fishing when he left Star Lake. He was a great TV watcher and especially enjoyed watching Gunsmoke.

Ralph enjoyed attending the Bison football games until he entered Bethany Retirement Living.

Ralph belonged to the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was also a member of Saints Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo.

Ralph is survived by his wife Elaine. They were married for 66 years in April. They had five children, Sandra (Kenneth) Killinger, Sauk Rapids,MN., Linda (Jerry) Molitor, Foley, MN., Steven (Julie) Majerus, Castle Rock, CO., Richard (Faye) Majerus, Fargo, ND., and Cynthia (Kevin) Metcalf, West Fargo, ND., one sister, Genevieve O’Connell, IL. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Ralph is preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra, a brother Donald and sister Dorothy Romane.

Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Bethany Retirement Living and/or the charity of your choice.

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  1. West Fargo North Dakota
    Sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I’m sure he will be missed by many. Now he is in the arms of the Lord. May he rest in peace.

  2. Cloquet MN
    Candy and I extend our sincere sympathy at Ralph’s passing. We will miss his smile and the wonderful fishing stories from Star Lake. Peace be with all of you at this difficult time.

  3. Michigan ND
    One thing that I will always remember about Ralph is his hand shake and his smile as he squeezed your hand. It felt like it had been put into a vise and he was waiting for you to say UNCLE.
    What a wonderful man he was, and he will really be missed by everyone who’s heart he touched. May you rest in peace.

  4. Osage MN
    Elaine: I send you my deepest sympathy and may all the wonderful memories you had with Ralph bring you comfort at this difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you.

    Co-worker
    Dee Olson

  5. Omaha NeUncle Ralph,
    Ron remembers the hand shakes and I remember the bear hugs! You will be greatly missed by many of us who were lucky enough to have you in our lives! Thanks for taking me in when I first moved to Fargo–you and Aunt Layne were so good to me! I will always remember having holidays at your home and just when we would sit down to eat you would get a phone call and have to go engineer the train that was waiting just for YOU!! Thanks for all you taught me over the years. Keep smiling–everyone needs that!

  6. Omaha NebraskaUncle Ralph,
    Ron remembers the hand shakes but I remember the bear hugs! I always loved visiting with you and Layne–you are both such good people! Thanks for taking me in when I first graduated from nurse’s training–that was a God send for sure! We know you are in a better place but you will be missed every day of our lives! Thanks for all you taught me over the years! I will never forget holidays at your home and you would always have to leave to engineer that crazy train that was waiting for just you! Rest in peace and know we loved you more than you will ever imagine! Keep up the smiles–everyone needs them!

  7. TINLEY PARK ILLINOISI AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU HAVE MOVED ON UNCLE RALPH. I’LL BET YOU ARE WITH SANDY, MY DAD, AND GRAM AND GRAMPS RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO LAUGH ABOUT THAT HANDSHAKE BECAUSE FOR MY FIRST 20 YEARS, I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE YOU DROVE TO HIS KNEES. I ALSO FORGOT ABOUT THE CLAVICLE BUSTER THAT YOU USED. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRO WRESTLER. I’M SORRY THAT YOU LIVED SO FAR AWAY. YOU WERE SOMEONE I LIKED TO SPEND TIME WITH. MY GUESS IS THAT YOU AND MY DAD ARE TELLING SEA STORIES RIGHT NOW THAT ONLY SAILORS AND MARINES CAN TELL. SOME DAY I’LL ADD A FEW MYSELF. MAY YOU HAVE FAIR WINDS AND A TRAILING SEA.
    YOUR NEPHEW DONNIE.

  8. Fargo ND
    Ralph, I was very sad to hear just now that you passed away yesterday. I loved having you and Elaine as neighbors by South High for half of my life and I will always remember you as a funny guy with the strongest handshake I have ever experienced! It was great to know you and I always thought it was pretty cool that we shared a birthday. Rest in peace, Ralph. You will be missed!

    Nate

  9. Colorado Springs ColoradoWell grandpa, you fought hard and did not want to let go. You still had that iron grip that everyone knows you by. You had a heart of gold, as well as a smile that goes on for miles. You were such a genuine, loyal, and proud man. You were proud of the work you did, the wife you married, and the kids you raised. You had a special place in your heart for each grand kid, and made sure they all felt wanted, loved, and protected. Thanks for being the leader of the family and being so good to grandma over the years. I often brag about the love my grandparents have for each other. So rare and special these days. We will take good care of grandma, you just watch over all of us and keep us safe, healthy and happy. A little help with the lottery and casinos would be much appreciated by all of us as well ) give a good squeeze and hug to Sandy. Not too many Manhattans now!

    Love,

    Cody

  10. Fargo We will miss you grandpa Ralph.

    I am sure St. Peter is dealing with a broken hand right now from your handshake. Either that or he is covering up his clavicle!

    I know, I know, “don’t get wise bubble eyes”…We’ll look after granny

    Love,

    Jeremy, Dana, Gunnar & Ella


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