Ralph Veal, age 88 of Bison, went home to be with his Lord and Savior the evening of July 26, 2017. He passed very peacefully with his wife of 67 years at his side at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

The Funeral Service for Ralph will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Bison. Pastor Phil Hahn will officiate with burial in the Chance Cemetery south of Meadow.

Serving as casketbearers are Ben and Todd Veal, Shelly Wayne, Penny Goold, Cody and Ryan Veal. All of Ralph's neighbors and friends are considered Honorary Bearers.

A memorial has been established.

Ralph Miles Veal was born on August 13, 1928 to Ralph V. and Ruby (Monserud) Veal in Lemmon, SD. Ralph spent his entire childhood in the Bison area. As a small boy he had his own business of hauling water in a wagon pulled by him and his dog Shep for which he received 5 cents a cream can. His customers included a Beauty Shop and a Maternity Home.
He graduated from Bison High School in 1947 and continued to work with his dad on the farm.

On September 2, 1949, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Joyce Wilson. From this union, 2 sons were born, Niles in June 1951 and Ridge in June 1956.

In the fall of 1949, he began work as a lineman for Zontelli Construction who built the "A" section of the Grand Electric Coop and after it was energized, he began working for Grand Electric as a Maintenance Lineman. For several years thereafter he would work for various contractors doing Line Construction around Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota to supplement the farm income.
His biggest enjoyment came from working along with his sons on the farm. After retiring in 1993 he was the happiest when driving around the fields and the cattle, checking the progress of each. Ralph had a passion for any kind of water sports, whether it be boating, fishing or skiing. Fishing off the south Grand River Bridge was his favorite spot. Another was Jackson Lake at the foot of the Teton Mountains in Wyoming. One of the highlights of his life was deep-sea fishing off the coast of Vancouver Island and again the coast of Southern California. He spent many a Sunday at Shadehill Reservoir skiing with family and friends.

When still in High School he and some friends started up a dance band ("The Troubadours") which he played drums in for several years. Later in life he spent his time at the card table or tending the garden and yard.

Among his many community involvements was serving as a volunteer fireman, Trustee for the American Lutheran Church, member of the building committee for the new church and parsonage, FHA Board, Senior Citizen Board and Membership Chairman for Perkins Co. Farm Bureau.

Surviving family members include his wife of almost 68 years Joyce, Bison, SD; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Niles and Jean Veal, Sheridan, WY; Ridge and Peggy Veal, Bison, SD; 6 grandchildren, Shelly (Mike) Wayne, Cody, WY; Cody (Lorena) Veal, Story, WY; Ben Veal, Bison, SD; Todd (Kim) Veal, Platte, SD; Ryan (Sharla) Veal, Bison, SD; Penny (Ben) Goold, Gillette, WY; 12 great grandchildren, Eryn and Isabel Wayne, Wyatt and Easton Veal, Hunter, Ryker, and Asher; Haley, Garret, and Kasey Veal; Erin and Eric Goold; brother-in-law, Doyle Wilson, Dana Point, CA; sisters-in-law, Hope Reder, Sturgis, SD; Faye Foster, Belle Fourche, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, and an older sister, Eva Louise Veal in infancy; and brothers-in-law, Milton (Russ), Louis, and Dale Wilson.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10:00am to the time of the service at the church in Bison.