Ralph J. Smieja
ROYALTON -- Ralph J. Smieja, 69, Royalton, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at his home from cancer.
He was born June 30, 1933, in Royalton to the late Peter and Gertrude (Dubiel) Smieja. He grew up in rural Royalton and attended Country School 29A until eighth grade. He graduated from Royalton High School. He married Marian Zimmerman on July 12, 1954, at Holy Trinity Church in Royalton.
He was employed in 1953 by Halvorson Trees in northern Minnesota. Together they lived in Duluth for the first years of their marriage and then moved to Little Falls. In 1960 they moved to their dairy farm near Royalton where he farmed and cut trees part time.
He retired from dairy farming in 1995, but he continued farming the land until the fall of 2000.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sandy Tiemann, Royalton, and Chris Lager, Royalton; two brothers, Roman Smieja, Royalton, and Clarence Smieja, Swanville; a sister, Betty Doroff, Little Falls; and four grandchildren.
His parents; four brothers, Adolph, Lawrence, Benny and Albert Smieja; and three sisters, Eleanor Novitzki, Marcella Bursey and Irene Bursey died earlier.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton with Father Laurn Virnig officiating. Burial will be at the Holy Trinity parish cemetery in Royalton.
Friends may call from noon until services Wednesday at the church. Christian Mothers will pray the rosary at noon Wednesday.
Arrangements are with Brenny-Karlinski Funeral Home in Royalton. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers.