Ralph Muecke, 75, Gladstone, died Thursday, April 9, 2020 at CHI St. Alexius Dickinson. Graveside Services for Ralph will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Dickinson Cemetery with Rev. Brian Davidson officiating.
Ralph was born July 15, 1944, to Joe and Esther (Schnase) Muecke in Dickinson. He attended a rural school through the eighth grade and completed high school in Dickinson.
Ralph always knew he wanted to be a farmer from the time he was three years old and riding the tractor on his father’s lap. Upon graduation, Ralph joined his father in operating the family farm, which was his grandfather’s homestead. Shooting pheasants and deer in the fall was among his favorite pleasures.
During his early years he developed an interest in oil wells which continued into his adulthood. Many Sunday afternoons were spent on a family trip to the nearest active rig to watch the activity. He also took interest in the operation of his church, attending meetings and ushering faithfully.
In 1987, Ralph married Louise Bergan (his childhood sweetheart) from Dickinson. They lived on his Uncle Fred’s place for 4 1/2 years. They then moved to a home that was moved to the family farm and continued to until his death.
Ralph liked looking at and watching old tractors and threshing machines work. He attended Dalton Threshing Bee and others whenever he could.
He enjoyed working the farm. Ralph was very happy when the planting season began. He liked working the soil and planting new seeds. On the farm he made many improvements and upgrades. He had the uncanny knack of remembering the weather and crops from nearly every year of his life. If someone wanted to know what the weather was like 20 years ago, he could recall it without hesitating. Anyone who knew him also knew that he vowed never to move away from the farm.
Ralph enjoyed carrying petitions for constitutional amendments and anything that was good and had merit. In his lifetime he accomplished many things.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Louise; sister, Elaine Wentz; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
