Ralph Saima

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 pm on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN.VISITATION : 4 pm - 7 pm on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga and for one hour prior to services on Monday.INTERMENT : Green Valley Cemetery, Menahga, MNSURVIVORS : His two brothers: David (Laura) of Anoka, MN and Donald (Judy) of Minneapolis, MN; four sisters: Esther (Orville) McKee of Seattle, WA, Elma Weeks of Redmond, WA, Viola (Ronald) Saima-Barklow of Oakland, CA and Judy (Christopher) Berry of Woodbridge, VA. RALPH ERNEST SAIMAApril 14, 1936 ~ January 8, 2011 Ralph Ernest Saima, age 74 of Menahga, MN passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND; a week after sustaining a heart attack. Ralph was born on April 14, 1936 in Green Valley Township, Becker County, MN; the son of Gadiel and Lillian (Pietila) Saima, longtime Green Valley farmers and later residents of Menahga, MN. He graduated from the Park Rapids High School in 1955. He was employed in Minneapolis for a short time, then enlisted in the United States Marines where he served as Data Processor and Computer Operator at Camp Pendleton in California. Ralph worked in computer processing in Minneapolis, MN and Alaska for a number of years before returning to Menahga to care for his elderly parents. In recent years, he resided at the Manor Apartments in Menahga. Ralph was a voracious reader and enjoyed visiting with his family and friends. He enjoyed big game hunting and fishing while living in Alaska. He was a quiet and gentle man who was very considerate of others. Ralph never had an unkind word to say about anyone. Ralph will be remembered with gratitude by his family for his kind and dedicated care of our parents in their final years. He is survived by his two brothers: David (Laura) of Anoka, MN and Donald (Judy) of Minneapolis, MN; four sisters: Esther (Orville) McKee of Seattle, WA, Elma Weeks of Redmond, WA, Viola (Ronald) Saima-Barklow of Oakland, CA and Judy (Christopher) Berry of Woodbridge, VA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Reverend Steven Bruer officiating. Casketbearers will be: Kim Saima, Cheryl Saima, Michael Saima, Tremaine Woodson, Andrea Saima and Erika Saima. Honorary casketbearers will be: Kathleen Saima, Sandra Saima, Michele Saima and Roxanne Saima. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. " 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN and for one hour prior to the services on Monday. Interment will be held at the Green Valley Cemetery near Menahga, MN.