Ralph Bartscher, Salem

Ralph Joseph Bartscher, 97, of Salem, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Firesteel Health Care Center in Mitchell.

He was born July 3, 1915.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Salem. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, followed by a 3 p.m. rosary to be held by the Christian Mothers and a 7 p.m. rosary, all to be held at Kinzley Funeral Home, Salem.

He was born at Salem to John and Kathryn (Wingen) Bartscher.

He attended a rural country school for two years and St. Mary’s in Salem for six years. He farmed with his father for several years.

He married Marjory Arnold on Oct. 8, 1938. The couple farmed near Salem until 1947, when they purchased a farm one mile south of Canova. They farmed there until they retired in 1991 and moved to Salem.

He was a member of the Church of the Epiphany while living at Canova and St. Mary’s Catholic Church after moving to Salem. His hobbies included hunting and trapping. He was an avid card player and belonged to many card clubs.

He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Larry and his wife Kathy, of Norfolk, Neb., and Roger and wife Judi, of Mitchell; six grandchildren: Mark, Jon (Barb) and Kyle Bartscher, Nicole (Darin) Douglas, Dawn (Aaron) Bartscher-Musson, and Kelli Lowe; and five great-grandchildren: Tyler Bartscher, Reese and Piper Lowe, and Lily and Maeve Douglas; two sisters: LaVern Yost, of Salem, and Esther Gregerson, of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marjory; his parents; four sisters; and two brothers.

Tags: obituaries, salem

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