Ralph William Delzer

Ralph William Delzer, of Big Sky, passed away June 16, 2013. He was born in Arlington, Minnesota on March 4, 1926 to Emil and Lydia (Doerr) Delzer. Ralph grew up and graduated from high School in Arlington, MN. Ralph served our country as part of the United States Navy Seabees during WWII. After the Navy he attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis and worked as an auto mechanic. While in Minneapolis he met Ruby Leone Bright. They were married on August 4, 1948 in Edina, Minnesota. He was the Postmaster in Arlington, MN for three years. Ralph then became an Insurance Agent for American Hardware Mutual Insurance Company for whom he worked in different communities for eight years. He and Ruby moved back to Edina where he was an agent for the Aid Association for Lutherans. After the kids had graduated from parochial school, the family moved to Burnsville, MN where he worked as a salesman for a paving company. In 1988 Ralph retired and he and Ruby moved to Big Sky, MT. In Big Sky he became a Real Estate Agent for ERA. After a couple of years he started Delzer Real Estate which he owned and operated until he retired again in 2007. Ralph enjoyed woodworking and made several pieces which are still in their home. He also enjoyed reading. Ralph was a man of deep faith and was an active member of the Lutheran Church for most of his life. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Ruby, of Big Sky, MT, children; Pastor Steven (Donita) Delzer of Faribault, MN, Daniel (Suzanne) Delzer of Big Sky, MT, James Delzer of Lake Forest, CA and his fiancée, Gertie Breedyk of Chino, CA, Peter (Kelli) Delzer of Big Sky, MT, Mary (Gary Jirele) Delzer of Blooming Prairie, MN, and John (Toni) Delzer of Big Sky grandchildren; Becky (Andy) Peterson of Nashville, TN, Ben (Betsy) Delzer of Waunakee, WI, Sarah Delzer of Richfield, MN, and Samuel (Abby) Delzer of Hopkins, MN, and great-grandchildren; Finn and Hawk Petersen of Nashville, TN, Chloe and Jett Delzer of Waunakee, WI, and Lydia Delzer of Richfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on July 20, 2013 at the Big Sky Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com