Ralph Solland

Funeral services for Ralph will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Rev. Michael Lilienthal will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and again one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area Veterans Organizations.

Ralph Gene Solland, age 81, died on August 4, 2018 at Thorne Crest Retirement Community. Ralph was born on February 20, 1937 to parents Jens and May (Haugerud) Solland near Emmons, Minnesota. Ralph grew up in Emmons and attended school there as well. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the military and served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 while stationed in Germany.

On December 31, 1960, Ralph married Patricia DeRaad in Mason City, Iowa. The two settled in the Albert Lea area to raise their children. They were members of Oakland Lutheran Church and then Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. In his earlier years, Ralph farmed in Emmons and Oakland. He then went on to do construction work in his later years. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Eagles. In his free time, Ralph enjoyed playing cards and games, mostly pinochle and Yahtzee. He loved to go dancing and spent many hours a week out dancing with his special friend, Hilda Sellner. Ralph enjoyed traveling as well, including trips to Arizona and Wyoming.

Survivors include his children, Ronald (Pamela) Vokoun of Albert Lea, David (Barb) Solland of Albert Lea, Brenda (Mark) Ronquist of Owatonna; grandchildren, Tami Vokoun, Theresa Vokoun and her children Bryana and Sam, Tim (Cassie) Vokoun and their children Isibel and Isaiah, Stephanie (Shaun) Lenway, Megan Solland, Jessica Solland, Cory Ronquist and his children Liam and Arri, MahRyan (Anna) Ronquist, Joseph Ronquist, Elisha Ronquist; siblings, Gloria Johnson, Jerome (Sharlene) Solland, Judean (Karolyn) Solland, Mavis Jacobs; sister-in-law, Margaret Solland; brother-in-law, Earl DeRaad and his special friend Dorothy Callahan; Ralph’s special friend and companion, Hilda Sellner; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Solland; parents, Jens and May Solland; daughter-in-law, Carol Solland; siblings, Marvin Solland, Donald Solland, and Orin Solland; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.