Ralph Douglas Kieley

Ralph Douglas Kieley, 70, of Grafton, ND, died peacefully in his home under the wonderful care of Altru's Hospice Program on Saturday, April 11, 2015, after a courageous 5 year battle with cancer. Ralph was born January 4, 1945, at Deaconess Hospital in Grafton, ND, to Elvin and Helen (Berg) Kieley. He was baptized and confirmed at Grafton Lutheran Church. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1963 and went on to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. After his father's passing in November of 1966, he joined his brother Lee operating Elvin L. Kieley & Sons as a Master Electrician, and in 1985 he became the sole owner. He sold the shop to Ryan Hanson on June 16, 2011. He was a partner in the AK Cattle Company. He was united in marriage to Cathy Warner in 1967, Lois Mosolf in 1972, and Jean Engquist Weberg on August 12, 1988. Ralph was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church, Grafton Eagles, Grafton Rural Fire Department, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and numerous hunting and shooting organizations. He especially enjoyed hunting in the Hettinger, ND, area and his 14 hunting trips to Africa. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jean Kieley; brother Lee (Connie) Kieley, Grafton, ND; sister Marie Kieley, Grand Forks, ND; two nieces, one nephew, three great nieces and one great nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers or plants memorials to the American Cancer Society or Altru's Hospice Program are preferred. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Grafton Lutheran Church, 143 5th Street West. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015 from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Grafton Lutheran Cemetery later. An online guest book is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.