August 21, 1940 – December 30, 2022
Age 81 of Gilbert, AZ. Formerly of Fargo, ND died peacefully on December 30, 2021 after a brave fight with cancer at Friendship Village Hospice of the Valley in Tempe, AZ. Ralph was born September 21, 1940 in Elkhart, KS to Ray & Florence (née Richard) Studebaker. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS in 1966. He spent his career working in the agribusiness industry. Ralph grew up on the family farm across the Kansas border in the Oklahoma panhandle.
He loved his life on the farm and returned often to visit until the farm was sold in 1983 when his parents retired. Ralph is survived by his wife of 16 yrs., Joan (Rausch); children, Barbara (Frank) Denn of Roy, UT, Suzanne Harris of Eagan, MN and Michael (Brenda) of Park Rapids, MN and their mother, Maureta Studebaker, Tammy (Kirk) Keeney of Stephenville, TX and Barry Rausch of Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Robert Denn, Elizabeth Denn & Calvin Studebaker; siblings, Wayne (Judy), Ronald (Nancy) and Marjorie Studebaker; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Rex Studebaker, Evelyn Virgil and William Studebaker; nephews, Terry and David; niece, Gindee; and favorite uncle, Guy Studebaker. Ralph & Joan retired to Arizona in March 2006 where they enjoyed traveling and playing cards.
Ralph enjoyed woodworking, especially his hand-made wooden crosses that many of his friends and all of his family now have to remember him by. In his earlier years, his passion was restoring convertibles from the 60’s and his yellow Willys Jeep. He was very handy, and could repair almost anything. Ralph’s remains will be inurned at Riverside Cemetery Mausoleum in Fargo, ND at a later date. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Valley: 1510 East Flower Street; Phoenix, AZ 85014. https://www.hov.org/
