Ralph Verlin Harvey, age 88, gave up his long battle on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the Brookings Hospital with family by his side.  
Services will be held Friday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Rude’s Funeral Home, Brookings, SD.  The family will hold visitation starting at 9 a.m. until the time of the service.  Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Rude’s Funeral Home will livestream the funeral service on Rude’s Funeral Home Facebook page.
Ralph was born on Aug. 1, 1933, to LeRoy and Thelma Harvey in DeSmet, SD.  He was the youngest of 3 sons.  He began and ended his work career doing what he enjoyed the most, farming.  He often said he’d still love to be working the land if he could.  On June 26, 1955, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Bebensee, on her family farm outside of Elkton.  Together they had four children.  It was for Dorothy that he fought his battle for so long.
Though Ralph worked hard, he also knew how to enjoy life.  He played softball, was on a stock car racing team, he rode many miles on both snowmobile and motorcycle. In 2009, Ralph and Dorothy realized a lifelong dream of owning their first house.
Ralph often told people it was here that he wanted his struggles with his health to end and not in assisted living. As the years passed, his hobbies turned to playing golf, watching golf, and talking about golf.  He also in these last few years, talked a lot about going down south to Florida and all they did down there.  He also enjoyed fishing and camping at Mobridge every summer.
He loved historical things and often talked of those places he visited. He was an avid reader and always had a book by his side.  Ralph’s infectious laughter made others laugh until they cried although he couldn’t laugh much any longer due to his breathing.  Though he was a quiet man he could hold a conversation with anyone. Last year’s family reunion brought all of his sons back home.  Afterwards, he talked how happy he was to see them all doing so well.
As his health worsened he often told his niece and nurses at the hospital and clinic how much his daughter Linda really stepped up and helped them in so many ways.  
Her visits brought him great joy.  Once a week Ralph and Dorothy participated in a beer test at their home with their niece Sheri Bosch.  He always greeted visitors from his chair with a wave of his hand thrown up in the air and a big “Hey” and that crooked smile of his.  Great conversation would follow.  It didn’t matter how long the visit lasted he was just happy you stopped by.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years, three sons, Doug (Mariah) of Blountville, TN, Mickey (Tandy) of Casper, WY, Randy of Hulett, WY and Linda (Randy) Nelson of White, SD; six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.  Inlaws; Martin and Barbara Bosch, George Buchenau, Art and Marjorie VanderWaal, and Roy and Jessie Bebensee, Jr, and Myrtle Harvey.  Nieces and nephews and a very special niece Sheri Bosch.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his brothers, Gale and David and two sisters-in law.
The family would like to thank the Brookings Health System for their excellent care during all of Ralph’s hospital stays and for their excellent help on the day of his death.
They’d also like to extend thanks to the Brookings Ambulance Service, The Brookings Police Department, and the staff at the United Living Community.  Also Susie, their very special neighbor who watches over them when family wasn’t near.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.