Ralph Metcalf, age 90, of Valley City, ND, died Saturday, March 21st at the North Dakota Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, ND.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 28th at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City.  Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27th from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home Chapel.  A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home.  Interment will be in St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery.  A guestbook and livestream of Ralph’s service will be available at www.lerudmathias.com. 

Ralph Edward Metcalf was born June 17th, 1935 to Clarence and Theresa (Tracy Lorenz) Metcalf.  He attended school in Valley City, ND, graduating high school from St. Catherines in 1953.  As a young man, he farmed and milked cows alongside his father on the family grain, beef and dairy farm.

On October 10, 1953 he married Helen Heiser.  They made their home on the farm with his parents and raised 4 children, James (Vicki) Metcalf, Steven (Brenda) Metcalf, Paul (Kay) Metcalf, Cynthia (Cy) (Dick Weber) Metcalf. Those children blessed them with 8 grand children, Heather (Nate); Brian (Samantha); Emily (David); Andrea (Zach); Ryan (Erin), Cory (Cassandra); Jason (Monica); Apollo and 13 great grandchildren.

In 1953, he joined the ND National Guard and was a member of Company G 164th Infantry.  He served for 42 years and held many supervisory positions.  He ended his military career as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1995.   

Ralph was also involved in the North Dakota Winter Show as secretary and manager from 1981-1987 and was honored by the Midwest Dairy Association during the 80th annual show in 2017 for his support to promote dairy and agriculture.   He also headed up the Christmas Eve supper put on by St. Catherine’s Church for many years.

Ralph became a member of the ND House of Representatives and represented the Democratic-NPL Party District 24 from 1998 to 2012.  He served on the House Appropriations and Human Resources committees.  He was known as he stated “to buck his party a few times during his 14 years but gained the respect from members on both sides of the isle”.  Thus forming strong friendships from both parties.  He played a strong roll for passing legislation for construction of the Verteran’s Home project in Lisbon, ND.  He also played a strong roll of the reconstruction upgrade for the State Penitentiary project.  He was a strong advocate for all the people of District 24 and North Dakota during his time in office.  

He was a life member of DAU and AMVETS and American Legion. He was a past member of the Elks Club, Eagles Club, Valley City Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Past President of the Barnes County Livestock and Crop Improvement Association, past board member of SMP long Term Care.

Ralph had a love of music and also loved to sing.  He was a charter member of the  Valley Troubadours, he sang in the church choir and for many funerals over the years.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Doris Heiser, Ruth (Neil) Schmidt and Barb Heiser, Brother-in-Law Lealond Peters and many friends.  Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Max and Mary Hesier, a daughter-in-law, Sal Metcalf, his brother, Lawrence Metcalf and sisters and brothers-in-law Leone (Dick) Clarens and Lois (Stan) Stanislowski, Rosealie Peters, Isabel (Homer) Wooden, Jim Heiser, and Ray Heiser.

The Metcalf Family suggests memorials be directed to the Lisbon Veteran’s Home, CHI Home Health and Hospice, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church or to the charity of your choice.