Ralph, son of Henry and Janna Freese Auen, was born March 24, 1891, in Wheatland Township, Carroll County.

He was united in marriage with Lillie Linde on January 12, 1915. She died in 1932. Ralph then was united in marriage with Vera Mensing on December 3, 1940.

Ralph was a farmer most of his life, having lived on farms in the Arcadia area and after 1938 in the Irwin area. He retired to Denison in 1960, and moved to Manning two years ago. He died at the Manning General Hospital on November 25, 1977, at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, a son Roy, two brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife Vera, two sons, Orville of Denison and Vernon of Carroll; two stepsons, Wilbur and William Sanders; two grandchildren, Rollin Auen of Kiron; and Joyce Knudson of Boone; and six step-grandchildren; 12 great grand children; three sisters, Angie Linde of Manning, Nellie Grimsman of Carroll, and Harmina Luchtel of Breda.

Funeral services were held November 27, at 1:30 at the Ohde Funeral Home, Manning. Officiating was Rev. Joel Wright, Presbyterian Church, Manning. Organist Dorothy Kusel. Burial was in the Arcadia Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Henry Johnson, Robert Luchtel, Harold Linde, Marvin Linde, Arthur Linde and Henry Tebben.