Ralph Molbert, 91, Steele, died peacefully on August 8, 2006.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, August 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Steele, with the Rev. Paul Tjostem officiating. Burial will be at Fisher Cemetery near Tappen.
Visitation will be held from 3-9 PM Thursday, August 10, at Eastgate Funeral Service in Steele.
A son of Swedish immigrants and homesteaders, Ralph was born on February 21, 1915, on the family farm in rural Tappen. After attending high school in Tappen, he graduated from the University of North Dakota Business School in 1939, and with honors from the University of North Dakota Law School in 1941.
After a brief stint in Washington, DC, he returned to Tappen to practice law and farm. He also started an insurance agency and tax preparation business He served as Kidder County State's Attorney for two terms.
In 1968, he acquired, with two partners, the controlling interest in the Bank of Steele (now known as Northland Financial). Over time, he acquired the majority ownership of the Bank. He served as President and Chair of the Board, until his retirement from the Board in 2004. The Bank has three locations, with the most recent opening of a bank in Bismarck, ND.
Ralph was active in the Steele region in community and civic affairs. He was an original incorporator of the Golden Manor, a nursing home in Steele. He served on many other community boards.
While active in law and banking businesses and after retirement, he continued the operation of the family farm near Tappen. The farm, a North Dakota Centennial Farm that started with a homestead by his father in Dakota Territory days, remains active and in the family to this day.
Ralph married Beverly Williamson, originally of Jamestown, ND. They celebrated 50 years of marriage this year.
Ralph is survived by his spouse Beverly; his son and daughter-in-law, Lauris Molbert and Jane Grove (Fargo); his daughter and son-in-law, Karna (Molbert) Kornkven and Richard Kornkven (Bottineau); his son, Eric Molbert(Bismarck); his daughter and son-in-law, Kristi (Molbert) Benz and Miles Benz (Steele); ten grandchildren; and his sister, Dr. Doris Evers (Fargo).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nels and Ida Molbert; an infant brother; and two sisters.
The Molbert family recently made a donation in Ralph's name to fund renovation of classroom 211 at the UND School of Law. Now known as the Molbert Classroom, it will be equipped with hi-tech instructional technology and provide an up-to-date learning environment for the 80-some first-year law students who will fill the seats in September 2006.
The Family prefers memorials to the Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Fund, designated to update the pipe organ at the Church.
August 10, 2006