Ralph A. Gangl, 87, of Starkweather, ND passed away Monday, November 23, 2015 at Towner County Medical Center in Cando, ND.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather, ND with Rev. Mathew Pamplaniyil officiating. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather with a 7 p.m. Vigil Service and Rosary. Visitation will also take place on Saturday one hour before the time of services at the church. Interment will take place at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Cemetery, Starkweather, ND. Military Honors will be provided by the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Casket bearers will be Brian Johnson, Rich Hunt, Rod Hunt, Bill Heisler, Chad Hunt and Tim Krebsbach. Music will be provided by Claraine Haus.

Ralph Andrew Gangl was born on January 6, 1928 to John B. and Mary Uhlenkamp Gangl, the fifth of 12 children. He was raised in the Starkweather – St. Joe area. He lived and worked in this area all of his life. Ralph was a farmer, Mr. Fix-it, jack-of-all-trades, carpenter and wood working hobbyist. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He took care of his mother and younger siblings after his father's death. He married Lila Ann Hunt Kinney on February 15, 1960 and became the instant father to her three children: Christy, Neil and Jay (Jake). They had four children together: Vickie, Tina, John and Sheila. They lived and farmed in the Egeland area until Ralph retired from farming in 1991. He then became a full-time handy man or jack-of-all-trades master-of-none as he always put it. When Lila passed away in 2008, he further retired from that job as well. Ralph loved horses; he would spend a lot of time telling stories about growing up with horses. He loved to watch westerns, especially John Wayne Westerns, nature shows (especially any about horses), Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. He loved to read, play cards and make hangers.

He is survived by his children: Neil of Mineral Wells, TX, Jay of Hazen, ND; Vickie of Bottineau, ND; Tina (James) of Starkweather, ND; Sheila (Douglas) of Bottineau, ND; daughter-in-law Michelle of Moorhead, MN; son-in-law Vernon of Rugby, ND; grandchildren: Denise (Blaine), Craig, Tyraill, Dacey, Erin, Whitney, Codey, Lori, Jessie, Kayla, Brooke, Ethan and Cody, and several great-grandchildren; sisters Irene Krebsbach, Ann Hunt, Alice Heisler and Mary Lou (Joe) Belford; brother James; sisters-in-law Carol, Darlene (John); brother-in-law Ken (Linda) and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lila; daughter, Christy; son, John, his parents, sisters Elvera and Rita, brothers, Walter, Harold, Donald and Robert; brothers-in-law Earl, Al, Walter, Lowell (Pinky), James, and Richard and sisters-in-law Ethel, Marion and Lorena.