Ralph Setterlund

LIFE STORY: Ralph Dennis Setterlund May 15, 1947 - April 10, 2018 Raised in Hankinson, ND, Ralph graduated from Hankinson High School in 1965. Ralph was a four sport athlete (Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball), and participated in the North Dakota State Track Meet in both his Junior and Senior years. He also played Cornet in the High School Band, often assigned to play “Taps” at Veterans funerals. After graduation, he began a 9-month Traffic Management program at Humboldt Institute in Minneapolis. Shortly after completing the course at Humboldt, he received his Draft notice and entered the U.S. Army in September 1966. After Basic Training at Ft. Lewis, WA, he served a tour in Vietnam and returned home to Oakes, ND in 1968. He has been a member of the Oakes, Bean-Goodwin American Legion Post #36 since his discharge from the Army, and a lifetime member of the W.B.L VFW Post #1782. Ralph then attended Valley City State, ND and in 1970 moved to the Twin cities, where he began his long career in transportation working at Marquette Manufacturing, American Hoist, and finally retiring from D&T Trucking in December of 2009 after 24 years. Ralph proudly served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1975-1994 as a Logistics NCO and retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7). He spent all 20 years at the Army Aviation Support Facility in St. Paul in the 47th Aviation Brigade and 2-147th Aviation Regiment, 34th Aviation Brigade (Red Bull). Ralph married Susanne Parsons, of Plum City, WI on October 7th, 1978 and they made their home in White Bear Lake where they raised their two children. He continued to play on softball and golf leagues in the summer. As his children grew, he became involved in their sports and was a member of the White Bear Basketball Association and White Bear Girls Fastpitch Softball Association. After retiring, Ralph spent his summers in White Bear Lake, and winters in Mesa, AZ, where he had the opportunity to spend more time with his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. In Mesa, Ralph bought property in Greenfield Village Resort community, where he was able to continue his participation in golf leagues. He served as President of the Golf Association there for several years, and began playing in a competitive tennis league. Ralph had a gift for showing a genuine interest in others and enjoyed engaging in conversation with anyone he came across. He was the most kind-hearted and generous man you would ever meet. In both White Bear Lake and his Arizona community, Ralph was well known, well liked, and respected by all who had the privilege to know him. Ralph is preceded in death by his wife Susanne and father Chester. He is survived by his son Brett, daughter Brianne (Joseph) Hutman, grandchildren Joey and Gianna, Mother Della Jean, and siblings Mary (Robert) Chagnon, Kermit (Corinne), and Pat (Dirk) Hample. He was a dearly beloved Uncle and Great Uncle to many nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be held at Mueller Funeral Home, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 on May 3rd 5pm-8pm with services & burial on May 4th 12pm (visitation at 1130) at St. Mary’s Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake with a celebration of life immediately following at the Manitou Grill in downtown White Bear. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Children’s Heart Foundation. OBITUARY: Ralph Dennis Setterlund of White Bear Lake, MN. Passed away on Apr 10th at the age of 70 years. Originally from Hankinson, ND, Ralph was a Vietnam Veteran and served 20 years in the MN National Guard as a Logistics NCO & retired as a Sergeant First Class. He is a lifetime member of the Oakes, ND American Legion & the WBL VFW. He had a career in the Transportation Industry working at American Hoist and retiring from D&T Trucking in 2009 after more than 20 years. After retiring, Ralph spent his summers in White Bear & winters in Mesa, AZ where he had the opportunity to spend more time with his daughter, son-in-law, & 2 grandkids. He was preceded in death by his wife Susanne & father Chester. Ralph is survived by his son Brett, daughter Brianne (Joseph) Hutman, grandchildren Joey & Gianna, Mother Della Jean & siblings Mary (Robert) Chagnon, Kermit (Corinne), and Pat (Dirk) Hample. Memorial service will be held at Mueller Funeral Home, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 on May 3rd 5pm-8pm with services & burial on May 4th 12pm at St. Mary’s Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake (visitation 11:30- 12 Noon) with a celebration of life immediately following at the Manitou Grill in downtown White Bear. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Children’s Heart Foundation.