Ralph Edwin Pedersen
March 26, 1941 – Dec. 15, 2022

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Edwin Pedersen after a short and courageous battle with cancer at the age of 81.

Ralph was born to Martin and Annie Pedersen in Olds, Alta., on March 26, 1941. He was the middle child of five.

In his early years he grew up near Torrington, Alta., moving around 1949 when the family bought a farm near Kevisville, Alta. He spent the rest of his childhood helping on the farm, getting into trouble and occasionally going to school.

Ralph bought his own quarter section near Crammond in 1958 while working at the Caroline Fish Hatchery. One of his favourite jobs was putting in phone lines throughout the province. He loved getting to meet new people and seeing new country every day.

In the mid-’70s Ralph started dating Eleanor Myson. Together they built a beautiful life and Ralph became a proud parent to her children, Debbie, Sheila and Kevin. They moved to Ralph’s quarter in 1976 when Ralph got a great job with Altana Exploration, where he would work for the next 24 years. Ralph and Eleanor married on March 26, 1977.

In 1981, Ralph and Eleanor welcomed their daughter Lorissa. Later that same year they moved into their new house that Ralph and the whole family worked so hard to finish.

Ralph loved to play ball. From an early age he spent many summer nights and weekends showing off his skill and speed on the diamond. The Kevisville ball diamonds were home to life-long friendships, intensely competitive games and all sorts of shenanigans. He moved on to slo-pitch, in his late 40s and continued playing until 2004.

For decades, Ralph and Eleanor loved to curl, playing several nights a week entering many bonspiels, often winning, but always enjoying the company and they even scored a couple eight-enders.

In Ralph’s retirement he enjoyed working on the quarter cleaning up deadfall and tending to their meticulous home, yard and garden.

More than anything Ralph absolutely loved his grandkids. He was their first best friend and their biggest fan. He showed them all endless love and patience. Grandpa loved playing cards and visiting. He loved watching them compete in all their sports and would never miss an opportunity to watch them play.

To know Ralph was to love him; he was the kindest man you could ever meet, had a great sense of humour and would give you the shirt off his back. He was a friend to many, and the greatest husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We will carry him in our hearts forever.

Ralph will be forever remembered by his loving wife of 45 years, Eleanor; his children: Debbie Russ, Sheila Alstott (John), Kevin Shannon (Paris), Lorissa Pedersen-Nafziger (Shane); his grandchildren: Amanda and Nicole Russ, Jessica Wilson (Denton), Sydney, Beau and Courtney Alstott, Jace and Tess Shannon, Jolie, Madelynne and Easton Nafziger; his great-granddaughter Saige Wilson; his brothers Derald (Irene), Vernon (Marie), Lyle (Donna) Pedersen; cousin Dennise Domsky; sister-in-law Joyce Lewin; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, friends and extended family. He is predeceased by his parents Martin and Annie Pedersen, sister Shirley Stewart, in-laws Hugh and Lorna Myson, sisters-in-law Carol Leslie, Shirley Myson; brothers-in-law Bill Leslie, Bob Stewart, John Lewin and Howard Myson.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will take place at the Caroline Community Hub on Dec. 23, 2022, at 1 p.m.
Donations in Ralph’s name may be made to Sundre Palliative Care Association or to the donor’s choice.
Heartland Funeral Services Sundre entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.