Ralph Burton Holmquist Jr., 55

Ralph Burton Holmquist Jr. passed away peacefully on Feb. 1, 2017. He passed away after a short battle with large cell lymphoma.

He was born June 10, 1951, in Havre. He was the second child of Ralph Burton Holmquist and Mariam Ella Newhall Holmquist. Ralph spent the first twelve years in Loma, Montana.

He graduated from Tulare High School in Tulare, South Dakota. He returned to Montana to work his grandparent’s farm every summer until his freshman year of college. He got his bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Montana Institute of the Bible in Billings.

After graduating from college he married Elaine Maki and they moved to Broadus, Montana. He spent his career as a stock clerk for grocery stores in Montana, ending at Rosauers in Kalispell.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting, reading (especially history books), photography, cooking, studying and memorizing scripture, and shopping at Salvation Army. He was an elder at Central Bible Church in Kalispell. An introvert by nature, Ralph was a fount of knowledge, sharing when he got to know you. He had a puckish sense of humor and loved a good pun.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his children; Heather, Burton, and Heidi. He is also survived by his siblings; Mary, Ruth, Margaret, John, Jim and Jane.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, aides and other caregivers at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. The family would also like to thank the members of Central Bible Church, Smith Valley School, Flathead Valley Community Band and Cornelius Hedges Elementary School for their support.

A viewing will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, at Central Bible Church with funeral services to follow at 4 p.m. Ralph’s final resting place will be at Conrad Cemetery.