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Ralph F. Schaan • 1924 - 2003
He was born on November 27, 1924, in rural Rugby, ND, a son of Wendelin and Magdalena (Heit) Schaan. He attended grade school in Rugby, and then moved to Norwich, ND, where he finished his high school education. He married Ann Brunner on April 10, 1945, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Minot. He entered the United States Army and served in Italy during World War II from June 16, 1945 through October 15, 1946. During his service time, he was NCO in charge of a compound of German prisoners of war. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to North Dakota. Ralph and Ann farmed and raised their family near Norwich until 1953. They moved to Deering, and farmed through the mid-1960's. He went to work for Civil Service at the Minot Air Force Base and continued to do a small amount of farming on evenings and weekends. He retired from the Minot Air Force base in the mid-1980's, and moved to Minot in 1992. He lived in Minot until the time of his death. Ralph was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both of Minot. He spent many hours in his yard and garden, producing food for most of his family for many years. He loved to spend time in his workshop where he fixed anything and everything. He enjoyed playing pinochle, deer hunting and spending time with his family. Survivors: Wife, Ann Schaan, Minot; sons, Ralph Schaan and wife Ruth, Elizabeth, CO, and Wendell Schaan and wife Geri, Mandan, ND; daughter, Barbara Parizek, Surrey, ND; five grandchildren, Michael Schaan, Wade Schaan, Shawna Schaan, Paul Parizek and Cheryl Parizek-Broderick; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, Walter Schaan and wife Janis, Seattle, WA, Fredrick Schaan and wife Sharon, Zillah, WA, Wendell Schaan, Ray, ND, Francis Schaan and wife Ramona, Minot, Louis Schaan and wife Linda, Gardenville, NV, and Dennis Schaan and wife Delores, Minot; sister, Rose Bellamy, Ray; sisters-in-law, Ann Schaan, Minot, Deloris Schaan, Minot, and Beverly Schaan, Minot. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. His parents, two brothers, Joseph and Julius Schaan, son-in-law, Jerry Parizek, grandson, Jami Schaan, and brother-in-law, William Bellamy preceded him in death. Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, March 7, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot, ND. Rosary Recitation: Thursday, March 6, 2003, 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot, ND. Visitation: Thursday, March 6, 2003 from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND. Celebrant of the Liturgies: Father Chris Walter Music: Active Pall Bearers: Michael Schaan, Wade Schaan, Klamantz Brunner, Jeffrey Brunner, Steven Schaan and Glenn Allen Alvstad Honorary Bearers: Ralph's family and relatives Honor Guard, Flag Presentation and Taps: American Legion William G. Carroll, Post #26, Minot, ND |