Ralph A. Knoll

Ralph Knoll, 79, of Warren, MN, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in North Star Manor.

Ralph Albert Knoll was born on May 2, 1944, in Radium, MN, to Leo and Irene (Kroll) Knoll. As one of eleven children, he was raised on the farm in Stephen. Always independent, Ralph left school at an early age to begin working and was a great support to his mother in her infirmity. He developed into a man whose primary concern was to look after others: a trait he carried with him until the end. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1968 after serving aboard the USS Cony.

Upon his return home, Ralph continued doing this and that for work before finding full (and fulfilling) employment with American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, ND. In 1974, Ralph eloped with Beverly Rosten, getting married on March 14th in Sisseton, SD, and returning to live in Stephen. In 1987, the young family moved to Warren. Over the years, Ralph was a “workaholic,” picking up shifts that no one wanted (but he really enjoyed) and providing for his family. He also retained his love of caring for others and has a soft spot for children. He was called “Plainview's Grandpa” for his habit of handing out treats and being a child-at-heart with the little ones. He enjoyed spending time with his own grandchildren, taking long drives (to who knows where?), going camping, and shoveling snow.

Ralph was a truly a “character,” but also a man of character.
He will be greatly missed by those who knew him best.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bev; his three daughters, Bobbi Knoll, Tina (Roy) Orman, and Amanda Knoll; grandchildren, Jesse, Jacqueline, and Emily Orman, Mary and Daniel (Alexis) Rodriguez, and Polo Knoll; his brothers, Wallace, Edward, Richard (Veronica), and Harold (Jan) Knoll; sisters, Mavis (Julius) Helm, and Phyllis (Donald) Pawlowski; sister-in-law, Lucy Knoll; many nieces and nephews; and his special little ones, Rayleigh and Mackenna Dietz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herman, Rodney, and Kenneth; sisters, Rita and Rose; and his in-laws, Harold and Grace Rosten.

FUNERAL SERVICE: To be privately held with Military Honors during the week of June 12th, in DuBore Funeral Home Chapel, Warren, MN.
INTERMENT: St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Stephen, MN.
GUESTBOOK: www.DuboreFuneralHome.com