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Ralph O. Milliken

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LAUREL — Ralph O. Milliken, 88, Laurel, died July 23, 2019, at his residence.

Visitation was Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Laurel United Methodist Church, Laurel,.

Funeral Services were July 29 at the Laurel United Methodist Church, Laurel, with Rev. Isaac Chua officiating.

Burial was in the Laurel Cemetery, with military honors performed by the Laurel VFW Post 4504.

Pallbearers were Tom Schmitz, Kevin Kilawee, John Knudsen, Christina Schlautman, Corey Schmitz, Collette Sigala, Kyle Knudsen and Kody Knudsen.

Honorary pallbearers were Jess Schlautman, Ruben Sigala, Kara Schmitz, Holli Peterson, Jess Wilson and all his greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The Wintz Funeral Home, Laurel, assisted with the arrangements.

Ralph Oscar Milliken was born Nov. 11, 1930, in rural Wayne, to James and Dorothy (Kugler) Milliken. Ralph’s mother died in December 1932, and James was remarried to Marie Pedersen. Ralph graduated from Wayne High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He served from Jan. 29, 1951-Jan. 28, 1954, in the Korean War, and was on the frontline for 12 months straight. Ralph married LaVera Mae Urwiler Feb. 14, 1955, at the Laurel United Methodist Church. The couple farmed near Laurel their whole life.

Ralph was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church. He loved his family and farm life. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Ralph loved farming, raising black angus cattle and the freedom of working out in the fields. He enjoyed taking drives in the country, looking for wildlife, watching the turkeys and the beauty of God’s country.

Ralph is survived by his two daughters, Cindy (Tom) Schmitz, Wayne, and Candace (Kevin) Kilawee, Gretna; son-in-law, John Knudsen, Laurel; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Lorraine Hovde, Sioux City, Iowa; two brothers, Jere (Lynne) Milliken, Cape Cod, Mass., and Ron (Jude) Milliken, Wayne; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Campbell and Mary Ann Urwiler, Laurel; and many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaVera, Aug. 1, 2014; daughter, Colleen Knudsen; granddaughter, Katie Ann Knudsen; four brothers-in-law, Marvin Hovde, Harley Urwiler, Jim Campbell and James Urwiler; and a sister-in-law, LaVerne Urwiler.