Ralph Huisinga

Ralph A. Huisinga, age 96, of Willmar, formerly of Spicer, died Tuesday morning, August 15, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 19, at the Willmar Assembly of God Church.  Interment will be in Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday at  Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  (www.petersonbrothers.com)

Ralph Albert Huisinga was born on July 26, 1921 on the family farm south of Prinsburg, Minnesota, the son of Albert and Helga (Nelson) Huisinga.  He grew up in that community, attended District 103 rural school and graduated from Clara City High School in 1938. Ralph was baptized at the Willmar Assembly of God Church where he was a member. He served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and also was a long time member of the Gideons. He married Alice Josephine Kallevig on November 4, 1944. They made their home on the farm until 1987 when they moved to Willmar. In 1999, Ralph and Alice moved to Spicer where, after her passing, he continued to reside independently until he transitioned into assisted living in December of 2016. Ralph was a loving husband and a faithful father. A quiet man of faith, upstanding character and humor, he was loved and admired by his family and friends. Ralph worked on the family farm his entire working life raising turkeys. He and his brothers established and operated Huisinga Farms, Inc, the first family farming corporation in Minnesota, on January 2, 1955. He also served on the boards of several of the Willmar Poultry Companies. He enjoyed the Minnesota Twins, reading, traveling, Southern Gospel music, golfing and helping anyone in need.

He is survived by two daughters: Lila (Lowell) Clarke of East Gull Lake and Kathryn Campbell of Pekin, Ill and two sons: Russell (and Connie) Huisinga of Roseville and Thomas (and Tambrance) Huisinga of Spicer, as well as special friend, Duane Eckholm of Willmar.  Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one sister, Edith Johnson of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.  Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife Alice in 2005, brothers Roger and Bob Huisinga, and sister Norma Tanner.

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