Rev. Ralph Belin, 87

Reverend Ralph Burton Belin, 87, of Chaska, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Chapelview Care Center in Hopkins.

He was born Feb. 16, 1925, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Frank and Emma Carlson Belin, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Patrick Henry High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He became a pilot with the Airborne Troop Carrier Division, obtaining the rank of captain. Following his discharge, he continued serving in the Reserves and the Civil Air Patrol. On Aug. 30, 1952, he married Yvonne Anderson.

After his military service, he attended the Lutheran Bible Institute, Gustavus Adolphus College and Augustana Seminary - now Lutheran School of Theology. He was ordained into the Holy ministry June l7, l956. He served the parishes of Tabor Lutheran, Strandburg, S.D.; Elim Lutheran, Robbinsdale, Minn.; Christ Lutheran, Maple Plain, Minn.; Vasa Lutheran, Vasa, Minn.; and Augustana Lutheran, Clarkfield, Minn. He retired from active ministry December l987, when he became a member of Crown of Glory Lutheran Church in Chaska, Minn. In addition to parish ministry, he served on many committees of the Minnesota Synod, establishing new congregations and stewardship. For the last 3-1/2 years he has been a resident at Augustana Chapel View Nursing Home.

Ralph had a love for traveling. He and Yvonne visited all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Korea and the Holy Land. He enjoyed visiting family, friends and meeting new people. He was especially proud of his six grandchildren.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Yvonne of Chaska; children, Kristine (Jonathon) Cooper of St. Charles, Ill, Philip (Barbara) Belin of Little Canada, and Lisa (Timothy) Foecke of Damascus, Md.; grandchildren, David and Sarah Cooper, Benjamin and Matthew Belin and Kimberly and Karen Foecke.

Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Vasa Lutheran Church with Reverends Matthew Bersagel and Kristie Mitchell officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Visitation will be for 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Following the service, all are invited to the Vasa Lutheran Center for a gathering with the Belin Family. Memorials may be made to the Jussi Bjorling Music Scholarship at the Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.

Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Blessed be the memory of Pastor Ralph B. Belin.

Tags: obituaries