Ralph Herbert Krenz

Ralph Herbert Krenz, 82, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013.

Funeral service will be held in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Steve Larson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Ralph was born April 15, 1931, in Oakes, N.D., to Carl and Alvina (Wegner) Krenz. He graduated from Truman High School in 1949. He then went to work for Truman Tribune before entering the United States Army in 1954 to serve in the Korean War. Upon returning from the war, he attended Mankato State University in Mankato. After receiving his major in mathematics and history and minor in geography, he accepted a teaching position in Morris Junior High School in Morris. On May 21, 1960, he married Kathleen Ann Wentink. Ralph and Kathleen began raising their family in Morris, and Ralph kept teaching mathematics for 30 years until his retirement in May 1989. The couple started wintering in Brownsville, Texas. In 1993, they sold their home in Morris and one month later Ralph's wife, Kathleen, passed on. Ralph continued to winter in Brownsville and would always return to Minnesota for the summer months.

Ralph loved to play cards, fish, hunt and teach, but he cherished time spent amongst family and friends the most. We will deeply miss his sense of humor and his smiling face.

Survivors include four daughters, Julie (Emery) Vanhook, of Kasson, Mary (Daniel) Ims, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., Elizabeth (Victor) Hemmesch, of Richmond, and Margaret (Kelly) Haugan, of Minot, N.D.; and son, Kevin (Julie) Krenz, of Becker. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren, Erin, Michael, TJ, Jonathon, Kevyn, Kimberly, Victoria, Matthew, Alyssa and Amanda.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; one grandson, Emery; two sisters, Lucille and LaVee; and one brother, Valarious.

The family extends our thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care Ralph received from Dr. Lally and her staff and the staff of Domitilla 2D, who supported him every step of the way these past few years.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 1105 12th St. S.E., Rochester, MN 55904.  507-282-1075.

Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com.