Crosier Brother Ralph Edwin Dahl, 85, died July 19 at the Mille Lacs Health System Long Term Care facility in Onamia. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on July 25 at the Crosier Priory in Onamia. The Office of the Dead (Morning Prayer) is at 7:30 a.m. that day followed by the Reception of the Body at 9:30 a.m. and visitation at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow the Mass. A private inurnment is planned in the priory cemetery columbarium.
He was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Douglas, North Dakota, to Eddie and Clara (Klawitter) Dahl, one of four children. He attended Logan Country School in Logan, North Dakota, and St. Leo’s Grade School and St. Leo’s High School, both in Minot, North Dakota.
Brother Ralph entered the Crosier novitiate in 1959 and made his first profession of vows March 19, 1960, in Hastings, Nebraska. He renewed his vows in 1963 and professed solemn vows in Hastings on March 19, 1966.
Many of his assignments and ministries centered around internal ministries as a member of the Crosier communities in Hastings and Onamia. He also worked at the Crosier House of Studies in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
During his 10-year assignment with the community in Hastings, he worked with and learned from the electricians, carpenters, plumbers and other maintenance personnel as they built a new wing. He continually added skills and worked in maintaining the buildings and grounds in various Crosier communities for more than 60 years.
Brother Ralph lived the ministry of Crosier fraternity and prayer combined with his service as maintenance engineer, carpenter and student disciplinarian. Besides all his hard work, he was attentive to nature, an expert card player and a sports enthusiast.
He is survived by his Crosier confreres in Onamia and Phoenix and around the world along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings.
Memorials preferred to the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 500, Onamia, MN 56359-0500.