Ralph was born on March 26, 1930, to Adolph and Augusta (Schoen) Beske in Oriska, ND. He grew up on a farm near Hitterdal, MN, and attended rural country school. In 1946, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army. He finished his basic training at Fort Benning, GA, before serving with occupation troops in Japan. In 1948, he returned to Hitterdal and worked on the farm. Ralph married Lois King on September 12, 1952, in Ulen, MN. Together they started a family and resided in Lake Park, MN, until moving to Moorhead in 1980. Ralph enjoyed driving truck for a living and was able to see much of the country. Over the years he drove for Kenosha Auto Transport out of Kenosha, WI, as well as Dan Dugan Transport in Moorhead, MN. Ralph was a member of the American Legion and the VFW of Moorhead as well as a member of Lake Park Lutheran Church.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Wendell (Patricia) of Perham, MN, Kathleen (Roger) Cramer of Dayton, OH, Laurel (Neil) Zachariason of Lake Park, MN, Coral (Gerald) Lunde of Audubon, MN, Joyce (Dennis) Fjeld of Moorhead, MN; 13 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Rolland and Gordon; and sister, Ethel Melbye