Our American Family - Person Sheet
Our American Family - Person Sheet
NameRalph Warren SMELAND 
Birth Date5 Jul 1921
Birth PlaceSelfridge, Sioux County, North Dakota
Death Date7 Nov 2014 Age: 93
Death PlaceSacramento, Sacramento County, California
OccupationWWII Soldier,
Spouses
Birth Date20 Aug 1921
Birth PlaceRockvale, Fremont County, Colorado
Death Date3 Nov 2001 Age: 80
Death PlaceSan Rafael, Marin County, California
FatherGabriel CORNELLA (?-)
MotherKatherine “Kattie” GOGLIO (1904-1973)
Family ID872
Marr Date17 Jun 1944
Marr PlaceWashington, District Of Columbia
Annul Date1984
Notes for Ralph Warren SMELAND
Ralph Waren Smeland passed away peacefully in Sacramento, surrounded by his wife and family, on November 7th at the age of 93, having lost his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born July 5th 1921, in Selfridge, North Dakota to Olaf and Bertine Smeland.
He was fifth of seven siblings. His family moved to Glendale, California where he attended high school and Glendale Junior College (AA degree) where he excelled in football, earning the nickname "Nails."
The day after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was 2nd Lieutenant at his discharge in 1944. He joined the Army Corps Reserve and left in 1949 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Ralph played football for the varsity team at San Fransisco State College (BA degree) and after college coached Pop Warner teams in San Mateo, where Ralph's teams had a record of 42 wins - 2 losses - 1 tie, and won 6 league championships in 6 years.
He entered the business world as a foreman for a large construction company, and soon after, went into sales.
He started his own business in July 1972: Ralph Smeland Building Specialties, retiring at the age of 77.
It was in 1981 that Ralph met the love of his life, Char Hoene.
He chose the Catholic faith and became a member of Presentation Catholic Church. He wrote, "Without Char, I am not whole, without my Catholic faith, I am nothing." He was an usher at the church and they were both volunteers for the St Vincent de Paul Society for years.
He was always interested in what his children and grandchildren were doing, and for some, he was the only living father or grandfather they knew. He filled the position perfectly.
Ralph is survived by his wife Char, of 32 years, and his daughters: Chris (Russ) Cole, Cathe (Jack) Alter, Charle (Lee) Dewitt, and Celeste Smeland. He was also a wonderful father to Char's family: Beth (Eric) Bjorklund, Cathy (Steve) Blair, Mary Kagchelland, Cary Howitson, Teresa (Jon) Christensen, and Richard Hoene. He was Grandpa or "Gramps" to the next generation, Steven, Brian, Aaron, Deserie, Dashell, Mackenzie, Katie, Peter, Elizabeth, Andrew, David, Cendahl, Christina and Matthew.
His Rosary and Memorial Service will be held November 22nd at 1:00, at Presentation Church, Sacramento.
In lieu of flowers, Ralph's family would ask that a donation be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank. The address is 3100 Norris Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821
On Find A Grave.
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He was born July 5th 1921, in Selfridge, North Dakota to Olaf and Bertine Smeland.
He was fifth of seven siblings. His family moved to Glendale, California where he attended high school and Glendale Junior College (AA degree) where he excelled in football, earning the nickname "Nails."
The day after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was 2nd Lieutenant at his discharge in 1944. He joined the Army Corps Reserve and left in 1949 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Ralph played football for the varsity team at San Fransisco State College (BA degree) and after college coached Pop Warner teams in San Mateo, where Ralph's teams had a record of 42 wins - 2 losses - 1 tie, and won 6 league championships in 6 years.
He entered the business world as a foreman for a large construction company, and soon after, went into sales.
He started his own business in July 1972: Ralph Smeland Building Specialties, retiring at the age of 77.
It was in 1981 that Ralph met the love of his life, Char Hoene.
He chose the Catholic faith and became a member of Presentation Catholic Church. He wrote, "Without Char, I am not whole, without my Catholic faith, I am nothing." He was an usher at the church and they were both volunteers for the St Vincent de Paul Society for years.
He was always interested in what his children and grandchildren were doing, and for some, he was the only living father or grandfather they knew. He filled the position perfectly.
Ralph is survived by his wife Char, of 32 years, and his daughters: Chris (Russ) Cole, Cathe (Jack) Alter, Charle (Lee) Dewitt, and Celeste Smeland. He was also a wonderful father to Char's family: Beth (Eric) Bjorklund, Cathy (Steve) Blair, Mary Kagchelland, Cary Howitson, Teresa (Jon) Christensen, and Richard Hoene. He was Grandpa or "Gramps" to the next generation, Steven, Brian, Aaron, Deserie, Dashell, Mackenzie, Katie, Peter, Elizabeth, Andrew, David, Cendahl, Christina and Matthew.
His Rosary and Memorial Service will be held November 22nd at 1:00, at Presentation Church, Sacramento.
In lieu of flowers, Ralph's family would ask that a donation be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society Food Bank. The address is 3100 Norris Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821
On Find A Grave.
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