Ralph Gordon SOTHMANN

It is with deep sadness that his family announces the passing of Ralph Sothmann on February 26, 2022 at the age of 78.

Ralph was born April 27, 1943 in Rosetown, SK the second child of Elvin and Dorothy Sothmann.  He received his schooling in Forgan, SK and Pickering College, ON. 

He grew up and lived his life on the farm 8 miles east of Elrose working with his father, brothers, sons, and nephew raising sheep, cattle, chickens and grain. 

Ralph enjoyed sports and took part in hockey, playing with the Elrose Aces and the Old Timers.  He enjoyed driving his convertible, a 1962 Chev Impala and took it to various car shows where he often won the trophy for best convertible.  Annual vacations included a ski trip in winter with his wife, Karin and a family fishing trip to Besnard Lake in the summer.  Many summers were spent at the family cabin at Clearwater Lake.  Later in life he enjoyed several winters in Yuma, AZ.  Ralph was an avid cribbage player and enjoyed many games with family and friends throughout his life.      

From 1988 to 2000 he served on the Eston-Elrose School Board. 

Ralph was predeceased by his wife Karin, parents Elvin and Dorothy Sothmann, parents-in-law Ben and Florence Wunsch, brother-in-law Kent Wunsch, nephew Paul Cruse, great-nephew Shaydon Froese and great-niece Peyton Cruse.

He is survived by his sons Evan (Alissa) and Ian and granddaughter Violet, daughter Heather (Kevin) Prescesky and two granddaughters Emma (Braden) and Sara (Bailey) and two step-grandsons Tyler and Dallin (Kayla) and her son Kealan.  Brothers Larry (Julia) Sothmann and their children Ben (Shana) and children Jaeger and Bryar, Mathew and Katy (Davyd) Dabo and his boys Jalyk and Justyn; Karl (Connie) Sothmann and their children Spencer (Anne) and son Archie and Kelsey; sisters Sheila (Doug) Hammond and their children Shannon (Arny) Froese and son Brody; Trent (Lisa) and boys Case and Ryder; Shirley Cruse and partner Bill Moffatt and her children Kris, Andrew (Lindsay) and children Emma and Elliot, Fraser (Mel) and children Rhett and Delaney.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Wendy Wunsch and her children Dean (Amanda) and Carmen (Michael) Tether and boys Kaiden and Sawyer.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Elrose Health Center and the Rosetown Hospital for the great care and compassion they gave Ralph over the past few years.

A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elrose Memorial Hall.  A video recording of the service may be viewed below.

Donations in memory of Ralph may be made to the Elrose Volunteer Ambulance & Fire Department or the Elrose Rec Board.