Ralph Douglas Kingsbury, 77, of Nash, ND, passed away on 08/10/2021 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Fargo. He was born to parents Harley Kingsbury and Noela "Tuttie" (Glenn) Kingsbury on 09/16/1943 in Grafton, ND.
He graduated from Grafton High School in 1961. He studied business at University of North Dakota and graduated with a BA in 1965 and a Masters of Economics in 1968.
Following graduation, Ralph volunteered for the Army and completed a tour in the Second Korean War. He served in the 127th Signal Battalion near the Korean Demilitarized Zone and was deployed from December 1968-February 1970.
Ralph married Cheryl Wilebski on 08/14/1971 in Greenbush, MN. Together they raised four children: Kelly Kingsbury Brunetto (Damien; Lincoln, NE), Kristen DeSautel (Scott; Cottage Grove, MN), Mary Enquist (Matthew; Scarsdale, NY), and John Kingsbury (Katie; Eagan, MN).
Ralph farmed with Kingsbury Co. for 35 years, retiring in 2004. He also taught economics for the University of North Dakota and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ralph was a senior researcher and business columnist for the Grand Forks Herald and founder of Kingsbury Applied Economics.
Ralph enjoyed reading and photography. He was active in the community with public service at the local, state, and regional levels. He served on a variety of boards and organizations including the Nash School Board, the Nash Elevator Board, the Nodak Rural Electric committee, the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers’ Association, the Federated Church in Grafton, Rotary Club and the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.
Ralph is survived by his wife, children and their spouses, and nine grandchildren (Cecilia, Dominic & Vincent Brunetto; Linnea & Harley DeSautel; Natalie & Zachary Enquist; Carter & Makena Kingsbury); brother Bill (Joyce) Kingsbury (Grafton, ND); sisters Linda (Don) Carlson (Meridian, ID) and Joyce (Leo) Staskavige (Wenatchee, WA), as well as an extended family of numerous nieces, nephews and cousins across several generations. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patti (Duane) Ganyo.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Cheryl & Ralph's 50th wedding anniversary, 08/14/2021 at noon at St. John's Catholic Church, Grafton, ND, Fr. Jeff Eppler officiating. Attendees are encouraged to wear something gold to celebrate the anniversary as we commemorate Ralph’s life. The family also requests that everyone in attendance observe masking and social distancing.
In gratitude for all of the medical care provided to him throughout his life, Ralph made an anatomical gift to the UND Medical School to educate future physicians. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ralph Kingsbury Memorial Scholarship: www.gofundme.com/f/ralph-kingsbury-memorial-scholarship . The funds will be awarded to students with financial need attending the University of North Dakota. To share condolences online, visit Ralph's obituary on BeyondTheDash.com.
He graduated from Grafton High School in 1961. He studied business at University of North Dakota and graduated with a BA in 1965 and a Masters of Economics in 1968.
Following graduation, Ralph volunteered for the Army and completed a tour in the Second Korean War. He served in the 127th Signal Battalion near the Korean Demilitarized Zone and was deployed from December 1968-February 1970.
Ralph married Cheryl Wilebski on 08/14/1971 in Greenbush, MN. Together they raised four children: Kelly Kingsbury Brunetto (Damien; Lincoln, NE), Kristen DeSautel (Scott; Cottage Grove, MN), Mary Enquist (Matthew; Scarsdale, NY), and John Kingsbury (Katie; Eagan, MN).
Ralph farmed with Kingsbury Co. for 35 years, retiring in 2004. He also taught economics for the University of North Dakota and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ralph was a senior researcher and business columnist for the Grand Forks Herald and founder of Kingsbury Applied Economics.
Ralph enjoyed reading and photography. He was active in the community with public service at the local, state, and regional levels. He served on a variety of boards and organizations including the Nash School Board, the Nash Elevator Board, the Nodak Rural Electric committee, the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers’ Association, the Federated Church in Grafton, Rotary Club and the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.
Ralph is survived by his wife, children and their spouses, and nine grandchildren (Cecilia, Dominic & Vincent Brunetto; Linnea & Harley DeSautel; Natalie & Zachary Enquist; Carter & Makena Kingsbury); brother Bill (Joyce) Kingsbury (Grafton, ND); sisters Linda (Don) Carlson (Meridian, ID) and Joyce (Leo) Staskavige (Wenatchee, WA), as well as an extended family of numerous nieces, nephews and cousins across several generations. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patti (Duane) Ganyo.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Cheryl & Ralph's 50th wedding anniversary, 08/14/2021 at noon at St. John's Catholic Church, Grafton, ND, Fr. Jeff Eppler officiating. Attendees are encouraged to wear something gold to celebrate the anniversary as we commemorate Ralph’s life. The family also requests that everyone in attendance observe masking and social distancing.
In gratitude for all of the medical care provided to him throughout his life, Ralph made an anatomical gift to the UND Medical School to educate future physicians. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ralph Kingsbury Memorial Scholarship: www.gofundme.com/f/ralph-kingsbury-memorial-scholarship . The funds will be awarded to students with financial need attending the University of North Dakota. To share condolences online, visit Ralph's obituary on BeyondTheDash.com.