Ralph W Wise

Ralph Wesley Wise, 89, Bismarck, passed away January 23, 2012, at the Baptist Home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 27, at United Church of Christ, Bismarck, with Hospice Chaplin Camille Grothier and Rev. Dale Kent officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, January 25, and 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm Thursday, January 26, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. A Remembrance Celebration Service will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, January 26, at the Eastgate Funeral Service. Ralph was born January 4, 1923, in Liberty Township, Dawson, to Harley and Effie Mae Andrews Wise. He was raised and educated in the Dawson area, graduating in 1942. On December 10, 1944, he married Irene Gunsch in Dawson in a double wedding ceremony with his brother David Wise and Irene's sister Lydia Gunsch. He worked for the Fairmont Creamery Company where he earned his first check for 13 cents, which is mounted on a plaque and still hangs on the wall at his home. Later Ralph worked at the Occident Grain Elevator and then the Red Owl Grocery store, both in Dawson. In 1957 he moved to Bismarck, working for the Peavey Elevator as a bookkeeper until his retirement in 1982. He was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ, serving as a church deacon, usher, greeter, reader and other church activities as the spirit moved. Ralph enjoyed playing cards, solving puzzles, working in his yard, and building beds and toy boxes for his grandchildren. He also collected pens from places he traveled. He collected and mounted several thousand different pens. Through his quiet, gentle nature, Ralph showed his wife unconditional love and taught his three children how to love unconditionally. He is survived by his wife, Irene, Bismarck; daughter, Judy Sonnenberg, Mandan; and twins, daughter, Karen John Enderle, Taylor, and son Keith Lynne Wise, Bismarck; one sister, Nona "Stoney" Kahler, Tuttle; six grandchildren, Terry Amanda Sonnenberg, Mandan; Tammy John Davis, Bismarck; Corey Andrea Enderle, Germantown Hills, IL; Nathan fiancé Brigitta Parsons, East Peoria, IL; Preston Amy Wise, Arlington, VA; Emily fiancé John Sundlie Wise, West Fargo, ND; and 10 great-grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Harley and Effie; three sisters, Dorothy, Delia and Florence; five brothers, Arthur, Edwin, David and infant twins; and one grandson, Kevin Enderle.

Ralph W Wise

January 4, 1923 - January 23, 2012