Ralph F. Rath

Ralph F. Rath, 85 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Eventide Heartland Care Center with loving family at his side.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 23, 2023 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Ralph Fred Rath, son of Fred and Martha (Aisenbrey) Rath was born on August 24, 1937 at home in Martin, North Dakota. He grew  up and attended elementary school in Martin and graduated from Anamoose High School with the class of 1956. For several years, Ralph worked for many of the area farmers.

In 1958, Ralph began working as a surveyor for the North Dakota Highway Department, then in 1959 started his career with the North Dakota Truck Regulatory Service. In 1983, Ralph received many weeks of additional training at the Law Enforcement Academy in Bismarck and began serving with the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He retired in 1995 after 36 plus years of dedicated service.

Ralph married his precious Elaine Dockter on December 21, 1962 at Drake ND. Ralph was stationed at Minot, Velva, Cooperstown, and in January of 1963 to Langdon ND. They started their family with the birth of Kim in 1967 and Scott in 1972.  The move to Devils Lake ND in 1969 was to their forever home.

Ralph did not know the meaning of a 40 hour work week or the word retirement. He loved the farm life and worked for Kurtz Farms at St. Michael from 1986 to 2013. In the winter he was the very welcome sight coming down the road with his snow blower and in the spring with his garden tiller for all of the neighborhood and friends. When he did take a break he enjoyed going fishing.  But his most precious time was spent with family and the grandchildren were so special to him. They brought so much joy to his heart.

Ralph was a life member of First United Methodist Church. He proudly belonged to the Lake Region Peace Officers and North Dakota Peace Officers Associations. He enjoyed membership in the Elks Lodge also.

Ralph served his community, his Lord and his family. He will be so very missed by all who knew him.

His loving family include his wife of 60 ½ years, Elaine; daughter Kim (Jeff) Iverson, Pekin ND; son Scott (Amanda) Rath, Devils Lake and those dear grandchildren Elayna Jo, Jaxstyn Rylph and Temprynce Mickedna Rath; sister Rosella Adam, Hudson, WI; many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law Gladys and Clifford Wagner, Darlene and Eldean Hase, Dorothy and Dean Putz-Tweten, Jerome Putz and Reinhold Adam and in-laws Karl and Edna Dockter.

Casket Bearers will be Jim Frank, Steve Hamre, Jon Ness, Milton Hase, Neil Adam and Rick Kurtz. Honorary Bearers are Ralph’s Nieces and Nephews and all Troopers and Members of North Dakota Law Enforcement, Past and Present. Music will be Congregational Hymns and Joyce Carter, pianist.