Ralph Mrak

Ralph Joseph Mrak, age 87, of Duluth, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Duluth. He was born in Duluth July 12, 1931 to Joseph Jacob and Ann (Janchar) Mrak. He married Elaine Bossert at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Drake, ND on August 13, 1960. Ralph graduated from Cathedral High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Japan and Thule Air Base, Greenland, during the Korean War. He attended St. Thomas and received a bachelor's degree in business and economics from UMD. He joined Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo) in Duluth in 1957. He later earned a degree in banking from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He retired from Norwest Bank after 30 years and embarked on a second career in teaching. He taught business and computer science courses at Duluth Business University and Fond du Lac Community College in Cloquet until his retirement in 1995. After retirement and much renovation to their cabin, he and Elaine lived at their lake home on Lake Elora. They moved back to Duluth after making Lake Elora their home for over ten years. Ralph was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, Duluth Serra Ministry and The American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Jamie in November, 1992. Ralph is survived by his wife Elaine; his sons David (Wendy) of Duluth and Jeffrey of Zimmerman, Minn; his grandson Owen of Duluth; and his sisters Dolores Ann (James) Pogorelec of Duluth and Judy (Ronald) Karlen of Mendota Heights, Minn. and many nieces and nephews. VISITATION: Monday, September 17th. from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5779 Seville Rd. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Superior. If so desired, memorial donations may be directed to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.