Ralph D. Bliss, 86, of Bowman, ND, passed away on March 28, 2021 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Center in Bowman.

Funeral Services for Ralph will be on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church.  Pastor Charles Johnson will officiate with burial to be held at a later date in the Scranton Cemetery.  There will be a Family and Friends Service for Ralph on Friday, April 2, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Ralph Delano Bliss was born at home on the family farm S.W. of Scranton, ND on Monday June 4 th 1934 to Irvin and Katherine (Schoen) Bliss.  As many stories of the 1930's begin, life was hard for Ralph and family . He grew up never knowing his mother , who died two weeks following his birth. In his mother's absence, Ralph's f ather enlisted the help of hired care givers, Ralph's older sister, brother and Step-mother Esther, ensuring he was raised well on the farm . He started country school at the age of 4 and would go on to graduate fr om Scranton High School in 1951, se t t ing off into the world at 16.

Ralph worked in farming and ranching for several different farmers in the Scranton and Bowman area for nearly 10 years, though he always turned dow n their offers to buy the

farm s . He was called to serve his country in the late 1950's. He would later entertain his family with slide shows of the many sights he 'd seen in Europe while being stationed in Germany from 1957-1959 .  After his discharge, he returned to farming briefly before taking advantage of the G.I. bill and comp leting his technical training in mechanics at NDSCS in Wahpeton.

It was around this time that Ralph caught the closer attention of a young school teacher, Clara Potter, who took interest in his new career path.  A reconnection was made, letter writing began and romance blossomed.  Ralph and Clara were married by Rev. Meyer at Peace Lutheran in Scranton on August 19 th , 1962. The young couple began their l ives together in Eastern Dakota, living in Abercrombie, ND and Milbank, SD before returning to settle in Bowman in 1964. Their union was blessed with two children , Jeff and Lisa.  Ralph and Clara celebrated 55 anniversaries together before her passing in 2018.

Ralph worked as a mechanic and service manager for Bill's Chevrolet, later Nordberg's, from 1964-2001.  He began his workday at 7:30 , pushing a broom and sweeping the shop floor before the doors opened and customer vehicles would arrive.  Ten of those years , he wor ked side by side with his son; a time both cherished.  Ralph semi-retired in the late 90's , working only five days a week instead of six.

In retirement, Ralph returned to farming, helping his brother David during spring's work and harvest.  He was also the grounds keeper for the Pioneer Trails Museum. He enjoyed many family fis hing trips; s ometimes landing a big Northern , and other times with the cowl off fixing the boat motor while others fished.

It was also in retireme nt that he cultivated his child hood love of model railroading, building an intricate layout that filled an entire room in his home.  Many of the buildings were his own hand made replicas of grain elevators and churches in the area.  He loved running the trains for his granddaughters and anyone who wanted to have a look.

Most of all , Ralph loved being a grandpa to Erika , Aleah, Erin and Brenna.  He was a man who could fix things, built his own computers, took on any home improvement project that could be done in a weekend and was a selfless care giver to his wife in her final years.

Late in his life, Ralph found companionship with a special friend Rose Eschenko.  Together they enjoyed long drives in the country, going for ice cream and dining together every day.  Even when both entered long term care, they continued to visit, send cards and share Sunday phone calls.

Ralph's loving family includes his children Jeff (Melissa) Bliss, Minot and Lisa (Brad) Brennan, Dickinson; granddaughters Erin and Brenna Bliss both of Minot, Erika Brennan, Dickinson and Aleah Brennan, St. Paul , MN; brother David (Sharon) Bliss, Scranton; sisters Ruth Newcomer, Franklin Grove, IL and Leona (David) Ensign, Scranton; along with a number of nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his m other Katherine; parents Irvin and Esther Bliss; sister Dorothy Matthew and his wife, Clara .