Ralph Kerzman

Ralph Kerzman, 72, Bismarck, died March 15, 2005 at home after a five-year battle from cancer. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. Thomas E. Kramer officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-9 PM Thursday and 9-11 AM Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service. Rosary services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Ralph Leonard Kerzman was born September 8, 1932 on a farm near Emmet, ND, west of Garrison, in Blackwater Township, the son of Peter and Magdalen Reuter Kerzman. He attended grade school near Emmet in a one-room schoolhouse. Ralph graduated from Bismarck St. Mary High School in 1950. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict in January 1953. He spent eighteen months at Camp Roder, Salzburg, Austria, serving in the 101st Airborne Division, 350th Regiment Infantry. He was honorably discharged December 2, 1954. Ralph was united in marriage to Rose Ann Theis on July 9, 1955, in Eden Valley, MN. Ralph worked in the automobile field most of his adult life. Employment was at Berg's Bismarck Auto Supply, Andy's Auto Supply, Carquest, and Pam Oil. He operated his own business, Ralph's Auto Supply, from 1969-1977. In 1983, Ralph went to work for the Hearst Corporation selling Automotive Motor Manuals in North and South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. In 2003, he retired. Ralph also had a tool sharpening business for twenty years until 2001. Ralph was a member of the Cathedral Parish since 1946. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Elks, and Eagles. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Minnesota Twins fan. Ralph is survived by his wife, Rose Ann; his four sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Cindy Kerzman of Savage, MN, Paul and Sandy Kerzman of Bismarck, ND, Joe and Cheryll Kerzman of New Brighton, MN, John and Renee Kerzman of Detroit Lakes, MN; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Arlen Rostad of Bismarck; his daughter-in-law, LuAnn Kerzman of Young America, MN; thirteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Francis Kerzman of Garrison, ND and Paul Kerzman of Eden Valley, MN; and four sisters, Margaret Brigman of Kalamazoo, MI, Grace and Bill Burk of Owasso, MI, Rita Vreeland and Irene and Jim Wilcox all of Garrison, ND. He is also survived by his in-laws, Sister Marie Theis of St. Cloud, MN, Florence and Al Rademacher of Eden Valley, MN, Francis and Helen Theis of Eden Valley, MN, and Marion and Peter Nohner of Grey Eagle, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Chuck, a granddaughter, Paige, and a brother, Jim. Ralph will be remembered for his kindness, his quick wit humor, and his love for his family. He was a great handyman and always knew how to fix things. He enjoyed playing pinochle with the family. Memorials may be given to the God's Child Project, PO Box 1573, Bismarck, ND 58502 or to donor's choice.

Ralph Kerzman

September 8, 1932 - March 15, 2005