Gerald "Ralph" Danuser

Gerald Ralph Danuser, 80 years old, passed away July 10, 2025, at Edgewood Senior Living in Jamestown, N.D., after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born to Gerald (Gerry) and Twylla (Sisson) Danuser on February 20, 1945, in Jamestown, N.D., Ralph was the oldest of six sons. The family lived in Jamestown where Gerry worked as the 9th grade science teacher and assistant coach for the freshman football team at Jamestown High School. In June 1951, they moved to Good Hope Farm near Marion, N.D., which has been in the Danuser family since 1881.

Ralph started school at Saratoga No. 1, a one-room country schoolhouse, and was often the only student in his class. He attended school there through the 7th grade until it consolidated with Marion Public School in 1958. At Marion, he played football, basketball, baseball, and participated in track. He was also very active in 4-H and Methodist Church Youth Fellowship. Ralph graduated from Marion High School in 1963 and enrolled in Jamestown College that fall. While at Jamestown College (now the University of Jamestown), he enjoyed a successful football career—Ralph lettered in football all four years, he was a starter for three of those four years, and the team won Conference Co-Champions his senior year.

While in college, Ralph enrolled in the Marine Corps Officers Candidate Program and went to Officers Candidate School (OCS) during the summers. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps during his graduation ceremony at Jamestown College in 1967. (Ralph and his roommate were the first and only officers to be commissioned during a Jamestown College graduation ceremony.)

Ralph married Carol Grace Carson on December 31, 1967, who he met at Jamestown College. Ralph went on active duty of the Marine Corps in July 1967 and went to schools in Pensacola, Fla; Quantico, Va; and Fort Sill, Okla. He was sent to Vietnam in December 1968 for a one-year tour as an artillery officer where he served as a forward observer, a fire support coordinator, and a platoon commander. After his tour in Vietnam, he was assigned to the First Marine Brigade in Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station, Hawaii. There he was promoted to Captain and later discharged honorably in October 1971. After he left active duty, Ralph stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve for several years.

Ralph and his family briefly returned to North Dakota in late 1971 before he accepted a position with the National Farmers Organization (NFO) in Corning, Iowa in January 1972. He worked in Corning for three years and then returned to Good Hope Farm in March 1975 to farm with his father, Gerry. Ralph and his family were the fourth generation of Danusers to call Good Hope Farm home. (His son Matthew and his wife Holly are now the fifth generation.) Ralph actively farmed until 2024.

Ralph continued his military career when he accepted a position with the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1977 as Engineer Equipment Officer for its 141st Engineer Battalion in Valley City. He served as Company Commander, Battalion S-3, and assistant S-3 and S-4 at state headquarters. He left the National Guard in 1991 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He finished his military career in the Army Reserves in 1992. Also, Ralph continued to be involved with the NFO at the county, state, and national levels after returning to North Dakota. He served as a county officer, a district president, state president, and briefly served as a National Director for NFO.

In addition to his military career and work with the NFO, Ralph was engaged in the Adrian, Dickey, and Marion communities. He served as a township supervisor for more than 20 years, as well as various positions with the Adrian Equity Elevator Board, including as the final president. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and taught Hunters Education for the ND Game & Fish Department for 38 years. He was also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Litchville Wildlife Club, and Future Pheasants Incorporated. Along with his wife Carol, he served as advisors to the LaMoure County 4-H Teen Club.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Carol and family: Matthew and Holly (Schroeder) Danuser of Marion, N.D.; Carrie (Danuser) and Dr. David Jones of McLean, Va., and their daughters Elle and Lila; Deborah Danuser, Ph.D., of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Catherine “Katie” (Danuser) and Matthew Coburn of Humble, Texas, with their sons Cameron and Clayton. He is also survived by his brothers: John, Bruce, Doug, Mark, and Reed Danuser.

Arrangements are by Eddy Funeral Home of Jamestown. The Celebration of Life for Ralph will be held Friday, July 18, 2025, at Eddy Funeral Home at 10 a.m. followed by a lunch at Hidden River Acres. Committal will be at Dickey Cemetery in Dickey, N.D., at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.