Rev. Ralph Sjursen, 89, formerly of Arthur and Dickinson, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 6, 2017 in Phoenix, Ariz with family by his side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. CT at the United Methodist Church in Arthur, N.D.
Ralph was born June 10, 1928 in Elizabeth, N.J. to Halvdan and Leonora (Arnesen) Sjursen. He grew up and attended school in Cranford, N.J., graduating from high school in 1946. He continued his education at St. Olaf College in Minnesota receiving a teaching degree in Science and Math. While teaching at his first job in Minot, he met Harryette Albert, a medical lab technician, and their marriage took place in her home town of Erie, N.D. on June 6, 1953.
A career change took Ralph and Harryette back to New Jersey to attend Drew Theological Seminary where he was ordained as a pastor on May 25, 1956. Although his ministry began in Gilberton, Pa., they returned to North Dakota where he served churches for the next 50 years. Churches he served included Velva, Hunter/Arthur, Dickinson/Grassy Butte along with the Belfield Presbyterian Church. Ralph loved all his churches and enjoyed keeping Saturdays open for family fun, often exploring the badlands of southwestern N.D.
The family’s need for a special education classroom led Ralph to take a leadership role in the development of community based services for children with special needs. While working for the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) as Executive Director, located in Dickinson, he was awarded the Humanitarian Award from the ND Council for Exceptional Children in 1981 and again in 1985.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul (3/16/1944); daughters, Susan (4/17/1976) and Nancy (4/21/2011); and grandson, Stephan (11/22/1997).
Continuing through love are his wife, Harryette, Phoenix, Ariz.; son Phillip, Bismarck; daughter Greta, Phoenix, Ariz; five grandchildren, Erik (Anna), and Sarah, (Phillip’s children); Kirsten and Josh (Nancy’s children); Cole (Greta’s son); and one great-granddaughter, Nadia (Erik and Anna’s daughter).
