Ralph James Larsen was born March 23, 1951, in Cloquet, Minnesota, to Irving and Helen (Johnson) Larsen. He graduated form Cloquet High School in 1969 and attended Duluth VoTech. He married Carol Atwood on December 16, 1972, in Cloquet. After marriage they lived in Cloquet/Carlton area, and Ralph worked for PreFab Transit. In 1989, they moved to Randolph and shortly after Ralph went to work for Taylor Truck Lines. In the late 1990's, he went to work for Admiral Merchants Motor Freight. In 2008, he moved to Colorado Springs and returned recently to Northfield as his health failed.

Ralph was a former member of the Full Gospel Businessman’s Club in Cloquet, the Cannon Falls Assembly of God Church where he taught adult Sunday school, and was an active volunteer for the non-profit group Bridges for Peace. He enjoyed cooking, photography, hunting, traveling, and politics - serving as former mayor and city councilman for the City of Randolph. He and Carol were also the host to several foreign exchange students. He was extremely proud that each of his sons served in the United States military and he greatly adored his grandchildren.

Survivors include 4 sons and their wives: Joshua and Randi of Apple Valley, Jeremy and Julie of Guam, Jonathan and Anna of Mankato, Jason and Molly of Cheyenne, Wyoming; 6 grandchildren; 2 brothers: Larry (Pamela) of Coon Rapids, Tom of Cloquet; his former wife, Carol of Colorado Springs; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ralph passed away Saturday morning, February 13, 2010, at Faribault Commons Health Care Center, at the age of 58.

Services will be 11AM Saturday, February 20, 2010, at Life21 Church, 2100 Jefferson Road, in Northfield with Rev. Lew Anderson & Rev. Jay Christiansen officiating. Music will be provided by Jane Allison. A reception will follow. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.