Ralph F. Stockstad

CHARLO — Ralph F. Stockstad, 69, passed away on to eternity after a long illness on Sept. 26, 2006, at his home near Charlo.

Ralph was born June 2, 1937, in Gettysburg, S.D., to Senor and Elizabeth Stockstad. Ralph left Gettysburg in 1956 and joined his brother Stocky and his wife Hope in Missoula, where he received his degree in wildlife biology. While in Missoula he also worked for the U.S. Forest Service.

In 1958 he joined the U.S. Navy and served his country for 23 years and retired as an aviator at the rank of Commander.

Ralph failed "Retirement 101" and worked for Lockheed Martin in Denver as System Engineer, designing future space systems for 12 years. He loved to play in the future but Montana called. He returned to the Mission Valley he so loved in 1993.

He married Edeltraud Graesslin in 1978 in Norfolk, Va. He and Traudle moved to Charlo, and lived for 13 happy years in their home, which he designed and built. He enjoyed hunting and observing the abundant wildlife.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Dwight (Stocky) Stockstad.

He is survived by his wife Edeltraud "Traudle" of Charlo; his children, Megan Stockstad of Israel, Mitchell Stockstad of Virginia, Mathew Stockstad of North Carolina and Eirik Stockstad of Utah; sisters- Avis Iversen of Gettysburg, S.D., and Norma Harer of Hoven, S.D.; and grandchildren Corey, Taylor, Marissa and Toren Stockstad.

Funeral services were held Sept. 30 at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan with the Rev. Rand Drollman officiating. Graveside services with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.

Arrangements were by Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.