Ralph Orin Bowman, 80, of Crookston, MN, passed away Friday, September 22, 2023, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, after a courageous battle with renal Kidney failure. 
Ralph was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Ralph and Louise (Marchant) Bowman. Ralph spent his early years residing with his paternal Grandmother and later moved to Minnesota for treatment for epilepsy. Ralph worked various jobs in the Minneapolis area. That is where he met the love of his life, JoAnn Baatz, and they were married in Nielsville, MN, on December 26, 1970. Ralph and JoAnn moved to Crookston in 1983.
Ralph began working with the Lutheran Social Services SILS program and started employment at the Occupational Development Center in July of 1984, where he cut lumber and assembled Arctic Cat crates, mowed commercial and private lawns, and worked at various business’ in Crookston as a janitor. Ralph had a bicycle accident in June of 1996 and as a result he resided at the Villa St. Vincent for a short period of time. Ralph moved to Lutheran Social Services home in January of 1997, and began employment at the Polk County Development Achievement Center. Ralph worked at a variety of community jobs. One of his favorite jobs was working at Torkelson Repair. Ralph enjoyed visiting with the owner, staff and customers that would come into the shop. Ralph took great pride in his work. Ralph also enjoyed his job at UMC, taking apart meters and shredding paper at the Development Achievement Center.
In March of 1999, Ralph and JoAnn moved to Oak Court in Crookston. Ralph enjoyed watching Bonanza, Andy Griffith, Law and Order and Wheel of Fortune. He also enjoyed working on his word search puzzles. Ralph had a strong desire to sharpen his reading skills and worked hard at it. Ralph also enjoyed socializing with his co-workers and enjoyed sharing his stories with the youngsters. Ralph also loved spending time with his dog and other animals throughout the years.
In February of 2019, Ralph moved to REM Skyview, Ralph enjoyed his time there, where he could visit with his housemates and REM staff. Ralph enjoyed going out to eat, going on rides to see the farm animals at UMC, going to Grand Forks shopping for Cowboy boots and western wear at Tractor Supply and the Boot Barn.
Ralph is survived by his wife JoAnn (Baatz) Bowman.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Lousie Bowman.
The Funeral Service honoring Ralph’s life will be on Monday, October 2, 2023, at
Stenshoel-Houske Funeral home, Crookston, at 10:00 AM. There will be a one-hour
visitation prior to the service. Burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery in Beltrami
immediately following the service. For more information, please visit
www.stenshoehouske.com.
