Ralph Nelson

Ralph Nelson, 96, of Casselton, ND passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 just days after moving to Bethany on 42nd in Fargo.

Ralph L. Nelson was born to Otis and Martha Nelson on January 25, 1930. He grew up the youngest of nine children on a small farm near Mapleton, North Dakota. Ralph excelled in sports — especially baseball and basketball, and finished high school in Casselton, North Dakota, in 1948.

Ralph was an outstanding athlete, card player (like his whole family), and, in his heart, a fierce competitor and a man of action. He also had a lighter side and used his clever wit to find humor in situations. Ralph had the unique ability to kid people with charming, genuine affection to bring out laughter and rarely rub people the wrong way. This “never quit” attitude and light nature helped him develop lifelong friendships and also served him well during life’s countless challenges.

Ralph served his country between 1952–1953 in the U.S. Army, during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, in the Signal Corp sending and receiving coded messages. Upon Ralph’s return, he married the love of his life, Barbara Radermacher, on August 12, 1954. The two began a family and a farm near Wheatland, North Dakota. Ralph was an innovator and early adopter of new farming practices and was one of the initial farms in the American Crystal Sugar Cooperative, when it was formed in 1973. He and Barb built a large farm with the help of their sons, family and “hired men” who were more like family. He continued to farm with their sons until circumstance and simple economic reality made it impossible for it to continue, and the farm was sold in 1997.  

In 1993, at age 63, Ralph shifted his energy and attention away from the farm to a project he had thought about for years — the Casselton Golf Course and its sand greens. Ralph designed a new and larger course layout and led the effort to build the course and develop the property surrounding it, which brought more people to the course and more people to the city of Casselton. He remained the superintendent of the new Cottonwood Golf Course until 2011.

Ralph’s interest in golf became a lifelong love of the game at age 14, when he started caddying for his dad at the Fargo Country Club. By his early 20s, Ralph was winning tournaments, and he would continue to win or contend whenever he played. Ralph helped establish the Maple River Golf Club, serving on the board, when it was formed. He won the Maple River Club Championship twice. Ralph was also inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 2000. He golfed every summer after he took up the game, with his last round in the fall of 2025 — and he made his last putt.

Barb and Ralph brought up their seven children as they were raised, to have deep faith, enjoy life, work hard, respect others and use their talents to contribute to the community. They were a wonderful pair for more than 70 years, and their personalities complemented each other and truly prepared their children for life. The couple remained committed to each other, enjoying life together; they spent 48 winters in Palm Springs, California — a place Ralph loved most. They also weathered life’s many storms together, including the tragic losses of their son, Ralph, and, later, their grandson, Hayden.

In the end, Ralph was a good guy. He lived life just as he golfed, not too worried about making a mistake but rather committing to the shot and a will to overcome any situation. He often said, “Let’s do something even if it is wrong.” On the rare occasion Ralph had a penalty coming, he took it and played on with the skill to overcome his errors. Ralph knew that taking action, learning and moving on was the way to go about life — the most important shot was always the next one. 

He is missed, but he will not be forgotten. Ralph’s legacy is the golf course he built, the lives he touched and, especially, the family he and Barb started. What began as two young people in love grew to something truly incredible and special. For 50 years, Ralph was blessed with wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and this added so much joy to his life.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Barb Nelson; daughters: Marty (Jim) Saunders, Ann (Lannie) Runck, Beth (Mark) Sundet and Mary Jane (Mike) Montplaisir; sons: Brian (Kim) Nelson and Tom (Andrea) Nelson; 19 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, totaling 43; and in-laws:   Betty Nelson Howe, Carol Radermacher, Dennis and Kerry Radermacher, Alan and Mary Lou Radermacher, Bill Radermacher Jr., Gene and Bea Radermacher, Susan and Paul Hubbard, Lila Thoen, Kay Welk and Joann Radermacher.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Martha Nelson; a son, Ralph Paul Nelson; and a grandson, Hayden Thomas Nelson; siblings and spouses: Muriel and Dick Marschke, Lucille and Irvin Boyce, Verna and Wayne Hocking, Lorraine and Robert Kapaun, Kathryn and Dick Christian, Lawrence and Helen Nelson, Howard and Georgine Nelson, and Otis Nelson Jr.; and  in-laws: William and Grace Radermacher, Mary and Jim Eberhardt, Charles Radermacher, Ronnie  Radermacher Leo Welk, Beth Radermacher and Marty Thoen.

Visitation: Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 3:30 to 5 PM with a prayer service at 5 PM at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Casselton.

Funeral Mass: Monday, April 27 at 2:30 PM at St. Leo’s Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior. 

Burial:  Casselton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Community of Care.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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