Ralph Spier

Ralph Spier, 96, passed away on December 8, 2025.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 16 at 11:30 AM at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at 2:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Ralph was born on August 10, 1929 to Fred and Rose Spier of Zap, North Dakota.

Ralph grew up on a farm near Zap and worked at various farms in the Beulah and Hazen area until he was drafted into the military in 1951. He spent nine months in Korea driving truck for the Army, a job he got because of his farm background.

After his military service obligation Ralph studied electronics in Kentucky until family obligations brought him back to North Dakota. It’s here where he was exposed to and developed a love of HAM radio, a passion he would have for the rest of his life.

He married Alvina Voegele in June of 1954, the couple moved to Bismarck where Ralph had a job driving truck for Midwest Motor Express. A job he would have for the next 35 years until his retirement.

Ralph was a longtime member of the AMVETS and a lifetime member of the VFW.

Missouri River Quilts of Valor was privileged to award Ralph a Quilt of Valor in September of 2025.

He is survived by his children, Wayne (Pat), Vicki Blom (Kevin Puhalla), Vonnie Grinsteiner; beloved granddaughter, Jennifer La Rosa (Raul); brother, Elden Spier(Glennis); nephew, Rusty Spier and niece, Meredith Spier.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Alvina; parents, Fred and Rose Spier; step-mother, Emma; sons-in-law Dennis Blom and Daniel Grinsteiner. and step-brother Gottlieb.