Ralph Pike
May 30, 1918 - January 10, 2018

Ralph Harry Pike, age 99, died January 10, 2018 at the Arbor Terrace assisted living facility in Rochester.
Ralph was born May 30, 1918 in Rochester. His parents were Leon and Estella (Eggler) Pike. He attended the District 47 one-room school through 8th grade and graduated from Rochester High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota's School of Agriculture program. Ralph farmed with his father and uncle, Harry, until he joined the U.S. Navy in March 1945. He served as a pharmacist's mate third class at the Great Lakes Naval Center until his discharge in July 1946.
Returning to the farm, he married Elaine K. Maass of Rochester in 1947. Together they had four sons; Richard (Betty), David (Rebecca) of Champaign, Illinois, Wayne (Deb), and Mark (Joyce). Elaine died in 1963.
In 1966, Ralph married Ruth Glandorf. Ruth died February 20, 2016. Ralph is survived by his daughter-in-law Betty Pike, his sons, David, Wayne and Mark and their spouses. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by his son, Richard, his twin sister Ruth Glabe, and sisters Marguerite Zimmerman and Barbara Schwanke.
Ralph was active in township government, serving as the treasurer of Haverhill Township for 53 years. He served on the Elgin Rural Fire and the Olmsted County Farm Bureau Boards. He actively supported 4-H club work and the Olmsted County Fair. Ralph also received recognition over the years for his soil conservation efforts.
Ralph has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester since 1947. He taught seventh grade Sunday School and served as an elder for decades. He rarely missed a Sunday service or church committee meeting.
Ralph lived and worked on the family farm his entire life. He loved farming and caring for people, animals and plants. He enjoyed gardening and could get any vegetable or flower to grow almost anywhere. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his family and spent his quiet time with books on almost any topic, crossword puzzles and his favorite show, "The Price is Right."
Ralph moved to Arbor Terrace in October 2013. His family recognizes and greatly appreciates the kindness and caring provided to Ralph by all the staff at Arbor Terrace. Thanks also to Seasons Hospice and his Mayo Care team. Thank you and God bless you.
The family prefers memorials to Trinity Lutheran's Legacy of Faith, Rochester Central Lutheran School and Channel One Food Shelf.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church Rochester. Visitation will be Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW and 1 hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester MN 55901
www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

Tributes