Ralph Crooker

The funeral service celebrating the life of Ralph Crooker of Deer Creek will be held at 2:00 p.m on Friday, May 10, at the Domian-Anderson Chapel in Bertha with Pastor Kali Christensen presiding. Visitation will be held at the Chapel on Friday, from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Oak Valley Cemetery near Hewitt, MN. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You are invited to the livestreaming of the servive by going to Schuller Family Funeral Home's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Schuller-Family-Funeral-Homes-Cremation-Services-100063798813543/ or YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_jZx4o7kREPtz8aSI4tEw ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ralph was born to Fay and Esther (Marsh) Crooker on September 21, 1942, in Bertha, MN. On November 21, 1984, he married Maxine Jeanette Lind at the courthouse in Wadena, MN. Ralph was born a man of the Lord’s outdoors, from hunting and fishing to working in the woods or having many of God’s wild creatures as pets. All his life he worked with his hands, building items from furniture to buildings. He also enjoyed visiting with people for hours, sharing stories from days gone by and stories of his deer hunting, duck and goose hunting with family and friends. Stories included his days of working at Erickson Enterprise and Hanson Wood Shredding in Wadena or at the Wadena Silo Company. He also owned hospitality businesses, Lavardo’s Bar in Wadena and The Old Homestead Café at the junction of highways 210 and 29 near Deer Creek. He was a man of many talents and was very proud of the horse and dogs that he had as companions. Ralph and his talents were just on-loan to us from God; they will always be remembered and deeply missed. He is at home with the Lord as his work here is done. Ralph, age 81, passed away on May 4, 2024, with tender care provided by Douglas County Hospice. Preceding Ralph in death were his parents, Fay and Esther; and son-in-law, Sonny McTigue. Ralph is survived by his wife, Maxine of Deer Creek; children: Kimberly (Scott) Kuperus of Eagle Bend, Wesley (Tanya) Crooker of New Ulm, Melanie Peterson of Clarissa, Victoria (John) McTigue of Osakis and Tamara (Jim) Wheeler of Piedmont, SD; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; along with brothers, Douglas and Allen Crooker. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Ralph’s grandchildren.Serving as pallbearers will be Tonya Klemek, Adam Mahutga, Dustin Mahutga, Shane Mahutga, Zachary McTigue and Joseph McTigue.

Ralph Crooker

September 21, 1942 - May 4, 2024