Ralph Menke

Ralph Menke, 86, died June 9, 2026, at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier, ND. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at United Lutheran Church in Cavalier. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. 

Ralph Menke was born to Fred and Annie (Paetsch) Menke on October 27, 1939. For most of his life, he lived on the family farm west of Neche and attended country school through the eighth grade. On June 12, 1964, he married Sue Menke in Neche. They divorced in the early 1990s.Ralph farmed until the late 1980s / early 90s. After farming, he spent most of his living years working for Johnson Farms and Northdale Oil. In the fall of 2020, he moved to Country Estates in Cavalier and transitioned to Wedgwood Manor in Cavalier in 2021.

Papa’s interests included his grandchildren, spending time at the lake, Zorbaz (Detroit Lakes) listening to live music and enjoying the pizza, collecting Case IH memorabilia, live music and dancing at the Windbreak Saloon (Fargo) and attending Calvary Lutheran Church with his family in Grand Forks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Annie; sister, Leona; and brothers, Arnold, Alvin and Elmer. 

He is survived by his daughter, Jana (Rodger) Corbett; son, Jayson (Lori) Menke; brother, Snookie Menke; grandchildren, Brandon (Sussie) Corbett, Riley Menke, and Parker Menke; great grandson, Kallum Corbett. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.