Ralph Ruskamp, age 97, of Dodge, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo, NE. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church-Olean, rural Dodge, NE with Fr. Matthew Gutowski as celebrant. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery-Olean. Visitation will be on Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a public Wake Service at 7:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church-Olean and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Minnick Funeral Chapel in Dodge is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Ralph Henry Ruskamp was born at the family farm in Cuming Co., NE on June 2, 1925 to Frank and Dorothy (Knust) Ruskamp. Ralph attended Sacred Heart Academy at Olean and was involved in 4-H.
On November 26, 1946, he was united in marriage to Agnes Kreikemeier at St. Boniface Catholic Church-Monterey. Ralph was a livestock and grain farmer for a number of years. He was a farmer through and through, even after he retired from farming, he always asked his sons and grandsons about the crops and cattle prices.
Ralph was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church-Olean, where he was a trustee and served as the groundskeeper for the church and cemetery for many years. His proudest moments while serving as groundskeeper at Olean was on Memorial Day. He would make sure flowers were placed next to every grave.
Survivors include-
Wife of 76 years-Agnes Ruskamp
Son- Gary Ruskamp and Cathy Kane of Dodge, NE and family-
Doug and Kristie Ruskamp and children-Natalie, Ashley & Lucas
Lisa and Mike Schrage and children-Joseph, Elle & Mia
Wendy and Chris Zurlein and children-Gabbi, Brendan & Josh
Son and Daughter-in-law-Danny (deceased) Carol Ruskamp of Fremont, NE and family-
Jody and Nick Hatz and children-Ella, Hannah & Jacob
Shanon and Brandon Meyer and children-Maddie & Owen
Eric and Paula Ruskamp and children-Kensington & Amelia
Daughter-Barb Kokrda of Lincoln, NE and family-
RJ and Katie Kokrda and children-Donovan, Liam & Audrey
Anna and Calvin Pupkes and son-Calvin John
Daughter-Doreen Mlnarik (deceased) and family-
Jessica and Jeremy Knoell and children-Emerson, Gage & Hudson
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents- Frank & Dorothy (Knust) Ruskamp, step-mother-Anna (Knust) Kampschneider, son-Danny Ruskamp, daughter-Doreen and Paul Mlnarik, great grandson-Jace Knoell, brother-Lumier and Ethel Ruskamp, sister-Viola and Dennis Knobbe, and in-laws-Hildegard and George Harms, Eleanor and Ted Vering, Frank and Alvina Kreikemeier, Al and Margaret Kreikemeier, Anna Marie & John Klitz, Helen and Hilger Wietfeld, Margaret and Bob Mendlik, and Leonard and Gladys Kreikemeier.