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Funeral services for Ralph Lewis Burch of McMinnville, Oregon, took place at Church on the Hill First Church of the Nazarene of McMinnville, 700 N.W. Hill Road, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29. The family officiated. A private interment took place at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Mr. Burch died Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Oakwood Country Place in McMinnville. He was 77.
He married Gertrude Ann Okerwall in 1950 and shared 24 years of marriage with her.
In the 1940s, he served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army.
The family said he was first and foremost a dad and had amazing pride in his six children. He was known for his gregarious and playful personality and had a cheerful word for anyone he met.
Surviving him is his son, Bruce Burch of Eugene; daughters Lynne Svenson of Clatskanie, Sonja Cleland of Hillsboro, Rhonda Boles of McMinnville, Connie Valesano of Albany, and Karen Burch of St. Louis, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Ralph held many offices in Skjold Lodge, including President. He was a long-time friend of Les and Lois Amack and was best man at their wedding.
Gene and Tordis Kaczmarek spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Dallas, Texas visiting with Tordis' daughter and family. Tordis' son-in-law is a gourmet cook and baker, and the variety of food on the table Thanksgiving Day was outstanding. They did some shopping and then saw a Christmas movie during their time there. It was a
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pleasant visit but it was good to get home and look forward to Christmas.
We heard from Harriet Pedersen who said in a recent note:
"Once again thanks for sending me the Skjold News, which I really enjoy. As I live down here in Arkansas there are no Norwegian lodges or activities to attend, so I really do miss you all. As I get to Chicago quite frequently, I always look forward to all the meetings, and greet the many old time friends. Enclosed is a token for Skjold News and keep up the good work." - Thank you, Harriet, for your generous contribution.
Kristi Strack and Christian Landy were married October 23rd at the Congregational Church in Algonquin. Kristi is the daughter of Pam and Steve Strack, and Marge Wittrock's granddaughter.
A beautiful reception was held at Stone-gate Banquets in Hoffman Estates. Family and friends came from Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and St. Louis. After a honeymoon in San Diego the newlyweds are now residing in Gilbert, Arizona. Our very best wishes to the happy couple!
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