Ralph M. Sancken Obituary (1938 - 2023)

Ralph M. Sancken, 85, of Saunemin, passed away Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 12:55 am at his residence. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, as well as one hour before the funeral service. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Saunemin United Methodist Church in Saunemin. A burial at Sunny Slope Cemetery in Saunemin will immediately follow the funeral service. Lorene (DeBoer) Sancken. He married Ruth Branz on April 19, 1959. She survives in Saunemin. Ralph was born on July 22, 1938, in Dwight, IL to Louis and Lorene (DeBoer) Sancken. He married Ruth Branz on April 19, 1959. She survives in Saunemin. Also surviving are one son, Randy (Michelle) Sancken of Pontiac and one daughter, Renee (Mike) Snyder of Saunemin; one sister, Rita (Ron) Deany of Chatsworth; eight grandchildren, Brandon (Julie) Sancken, Wesley (Bria) Sancken, Lucas (Lydia) Sancken, Austin (Angie) Moore, Megan (Joe) Lanning, Kristin Murphy, Kevin (Kaitlin) Snyder, Kara Snyder; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Rita Murphy; one brother, Howard; and one sister, Anna Mae Popp. Ralph was educated and graduated from Saunemin High School. He farmed his entire life alongside his father, brother, son, and grandson in the Saunemin area. Additionally, he worked for his lifelong friends, Gene and Janet Swartz, for 49 years at Wilken Seed Grain. Ralph's love of the farm was second only to Ruth, his wife of 64 years, his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They all held an enormous place in his life. In his later years of farming, it was common to see Ralph in his pride and joy, his tandem truck, with one of the great grandkids. Ralph also loved playing cards with his dear friends over the years and was always up for a round of moon. Memorials may be given to Saunemin United Methodist Church or Carle BroMenn Hospice in Bloomington. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.