Ralph Wirth

Ralph Wirth, 89 of Hurley, passed away at his home on December 22, 2023. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, Hurley. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, December 26 at the church. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Ralph Wirth was born on August 28, 1934 on the family farm near Spring Valley to Henry and Anna (Spomer) Wirth. He is the fourth of six children, following Robert, Bernice, and Arthur, and later was joined by Kathryn and Eldon. He attended country school at District #38 and graduated from Hurley High School in 1952. After high school, Ralph worked at John Morrell’s in various departments.

On September 25, 1952, Ralph was united in marriage to Marilyn Stoddard. To this union they were blessed with 6 children: Chuck, Rich, Gordon, Edwin, Laurie, and Jerry. They lived in Sioux Falls until 1956 when they moved to the farm that they rented from his aunt. That is when he began his lifelong career as a farmer. Ralph raised dairy cattle and crops. He was also a seed corn salesman for many years for O’s Gold and 4-Star. Through that job began many long-time friendships and trips that he and Marilyn would go on. Ralph served as the Township Clerk for many years. He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as an Elder and other church councils.

Ralph will be missed. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Marilyn; children Chuck(Fiancé Julie Koller) of Hurley, Rich (Diane) of Hurley, Gordon (Sandy) of Sioux Falls, Ed of Viborg, Laurie (Mark) Leber of Rapid City, and Jerry (Robin) of Yankton; 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; siblings Robert Wirth of Viborg, Arthur Wirth of Viborg, Kathryn (Charles) Gruber of Beloit, WI, and Eldon (Cheryl) Wirth of Hurley; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Anna Wirth, sister Bernice (Edwin) Knudson, mother and father-in-law Ethel and Luverne Stoddard, and sister-in-law Mavis (Ray) Gibson.