Ralph O. Eisenschenk

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids, for Ralph O. Eisenschenk, age 77, of Sauk Rapids who passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024 at his home in Sauk Rapids with his loving family at his side. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate. Entombment of the urn will take place at 3pm at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls with full military honors following the church luncheon.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and one hour prior to services on Monday at the Church. Parish prayers will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Ralph was born on September 17, 1947 in Richmond, Minnesota to Lawrence and Elizabeth (Bartel) Eisenschenk. He served Honorably in the United States Army from 1966-1972. Ralph married Celeste Simon on June 29, 1996 in St. Cloud, MN.
Ralph was a loving, kind and gentle spirit. Often described by others as the nicest person they knew. His charming wit and one liners would fill a room with laughter. He loved giving hugs and he didn't leave many people without getting one. His favorite line when people would ask if he needed anything else, was, "just a smile." His smile, twinkle in his eyes, and thoughtfulness brought much joy to his family and friends. That legacy will live on in the memories of those lives he touched.
Ralph was a professional truck driver for over 40 years, with three million safe driving miles. He was employed by Consolidated Oil, Fingerhut, Roadway Express, and YRC, retiring in 2010. In his retirement, he continued to be a semi driving instructor for the truck driving program at STTCC. He loved departing his knowledge of driver and highway safety by volunteering to teach safe driving to fire departments, high school classes, and other non profits.
His love of trucking was also realized by his participation in the annual Truck Driving Championships where he competed yearly, winning some kind of an award each year. He qualified for the National Truck Driving Championships in 1992, 2006 and 2007. He had very fond memories of these events and the friendships and camaraderie he developed have lasted a lifetime.
His legacy of love, kindness, compassion, loyalty, laughter, hard work and yes stubbornness will continue to be honored by those who knew and loved him.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Celeste; children, Lisa (Kevin) Mulder, St. Cloud; Todd Eisenschenk, St. Cloud; Scott (Amber) Eisenschenk, Sauk Rapids; Nicholas Eisenschenk, Sauk Rapids; Matthew (Angie) Umbreit, Tucson, AZ; Amy (Artis) Bisers, Sartell; Elizabeth (Justin) Feld, Foley.; grandchildren, Luke, Lakita, Allyssa, Wyatt, Serenity, Hannah, Carter, Addison, Owen, Emmi, Taylor, Dakotah, and Laylah; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Ava and Ella; siblings, Leander (Elaine) Eisenschenk, St. Joseph; Eugene (Dottie) Eisenschenk, St. Joseph, Dorothy (Jerry) Notsch, Holdingford; Frank (Mary Jo) Eisenschenk, Sauk Rapids; Joanna (Jim) Ruprecht, Avon; Mark (Diane) Eisenschenk, St. Joseph; Mary Ann (Steve) Terwey, St. Joseph; Betz (Mike) Marquette, St. Anna, Lois Gilgen, Clearwater. Brother-in-law, Jeffrey (Jennifer) Simon, Greenville, NH and sister-in-law, Charlotte Eisenschenk, St. Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Lawrence and Elizabeth Eisenschenk; In-laws, Ralph and Rose Simon; brothers, Roger and Ronald Eisenschenk; brother-in-law, Terrance Simon.
A special thank you to the VA Health System for their superb care over the years and especially to Nurse Kris for her support and laughter during her bi-weekly visits. Also, a special thank you to St Croix Hospice for their compassionate care during the last week of Ralph's transition.