Ralph A. Herbst

To join Ralph's Family for his Life Celebration please click on the live-stream link below.  

Ralph A. Herbst, 82, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully with family by his side, Monday, November 28, 2022, in Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

Ralph Albert Herbst was born May 2, 1940, in Frazee, MN, the son of Louis “Louie” and Ruth (Fischer) Herbst. He was raised in Storden, MN and graduated from Storden High School. From 1961 to 1962, he attended Wadena Tech in Wadena, MN, where he received a degree in Auto Mechanics. Deciding to further his education, Ralph went on to Moorhead State College (now Minnesota State University Moorhead) in Moorhead and earned his teaching degree in Industrial Arts in 1967.

On June 17, 1967, he was united in marriage to Evarae Rasmussen in Frazee. They made their home in Moorhead and Ralph began teaching at Fargo South High School in Fargo, ND, where he spent the entirety of his thirty-four year career. He retired in 2001 and then was a substitute teacher for five years. After 41 years of marriage, Evarae passed away April 27, 2009.

Ralph was a member of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag, MN, and had been the curator of the Walcott/Skelly Gas Station for twenty-six years. He was also a member of Kiwanis and VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).

Ralph was a lifelong learner, educator and enthusiastic collector of many items including stamps, license plates, memorabilia for the station in Rollag, signs and vehicles, his favorite being Buicks. He had a love for nature that led him to be intrigued with horticulture, with roses and trees being amongst his many areas of expertise. His gentle and genuine interest in people paved the way for countless friendships in those areas of his life.

To his family, he was ''just Dad, just Grandpa," a person who was cared for deeply, because he cared deeply for others. Memories of times together, in Moorhead and at the family's lake home, will be forever treasured.

He is survived by his children, Michael Herbst, Barnesville, MN, Michelle (Ken) Johnson, Rosholt, SD, Melissa (Jeff) Lage, Waconia, MN, and Melanie (Tim) Buth, Wolverton, MN; grandchildren, Brittney, Brandon, Benjamin, Alexis, Matthew, Jesse, Madeline, Ian and Miranda; great-grandchildren, Elliot, Jackson, Taylan, Aiden, Kehlani, Kaia, and Mason; sisters, Marjean Kern, Frazee and Nancy (Ron) Pihlstrom, Detroit Lakes, MN; sister-in-law Deb Herbst, Frazee; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evarae; granddaughter, Olivia Buth; brothers, Roger and Harvey, and two nephews, Steven Kern and Bryton Pihlstrom.

Memorials may be directed to the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion - Rollag, MN  and undesignated memorials will be donated to Vocational Education in memory of Ralph.

A Celebration of Ralph’s Life will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, in Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church, Moorhead, with a Gathering of Family and Friends one hour prior to the Celebration.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)