Ralph L. Dolechek, 87, Dickinson, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 28, 2017 surrounded by family. Ralph’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant. Interment will take place Thursday, 1 P.M. MT, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be Tuesday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Ralph was born July 8, 1930 on the family farm southeast of Dickinson. He was the son of Valentine and Anna (Huschka) Dolechek. He attended Frenzel Country School completing the eighth grade. In October of 1951 he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Corporal in the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan as a Transportation Engineer Specialist for the Yokohama Engineering Department and was honorably discharged in September of 1953. After his service in the army he farmed with his parents and worked for Stark County.
On May 28, 1957 he married Catherine “Katie” Urlacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England, ND. To this union nine children were born: Kathleen, Dale, Daniel, Mary Kay, Carol, Alvin, David, Renee and Patrick. Ralph and Katie farmed and ranched with her parents John and Mary Urlacher southeast of New England from 1957 until 1963. They moved to Dickinson in 1963 and Ralph began employment with Dolajak Manufacturing doing construction work until 1971. He then became employed at Dickinson State College as an automotive service technician maintaining the ND State Fleet vehicles. After 24 years of dedicated service, he retired from DSU in 1995 as the Physical Plant Director of Facility Operations.
Ralph kept busy during retirement working on his farmland southeast of Dickinson and tinkering in his garage. He could repair almost anything and was very crafty, often times fashioning his own parts if needed. He loved to garden, build bird houses, hunt and fish, play the accordion and listen to old time music. He was a proud member of the Dickinson Eagles Club and the Disabled American Veterans. He looked forward to family gatherings and loved to play pinochle. He will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and practical jokes.
Ralph is survived by his wife Katie; sons Dale (Jody), Dickinson, Daniel, Killdeer, Alvin, Wasilla, Alaska and David, Dickinson; daughters, Mary Kay (Kevin) Hondl, Carol (Alan) Klatt and Renee (Kelly Olheiser) Dolechek; sister, Pauline (David) Sadowsky; and sister-in-law, Leona Dolechek, all of Dickinson; grandchildren: Shaina (Coyote) Fairbank, Briana Dolechek, Jayden Dolechek, Tia (Aaron) Cook, Joshua Dolechek, Jessen Dolechek, Destin Dolechek, Taryn Dolechek, Cory Hondl, Kelli (Timothy) Graham, Kodi (Derrick) Brown, Casey Klatt, Zachary (Brittany) Dolechek, Maxwell Dolechek, Brett Dolechek, MiKayla Maxner, Kelsea Maxner, Brook Maxner, and Nevaeh Olheiser; great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Harrison Cook, Colton and Wyatt Fairbank, Landon and Ellie Brown, Oliver and Harlow Dolechek and Riley Conway.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Valentine and Anna; his infant children, Kathleen and Patrick; his sister, Johanna; his brothers, George, Christ and one in infancy; brother-in-law Val T. Messer; and sister-in-law, Rosemary Dolechek.
