Ralph Ronald Nissen passed away peacefully at his home In Ramsey, Minnesota at age 87 on August 3, 2026, with his son and daughter at his side after his long fight with cancer. Ralph was born on March 21, 1939, to Alice Ellen (Pushor) Nissen and Herbert Nissen in Framnes Township, Stevens County, Minnesota. Ralph is survived by his son Michael, daughter Mary Beth, her husband Jeff Havrilla, brother and sisters Howard Nissen, Audrey Mithun, Joanne Mithun, Barbara Robert Roles, Dorothy Hoberg and Carol Steve Giese.

Ralph was a wonderful father and a great friend who would do anything for his kids, his family and his friends. He was a generous man with a huge heart. He touched a lot of lives and made a lot of lifelong friends through his businesses in Anoka, Minnesota, trapshooting, hunting, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and Game Fair in Ramsey.

Ralph was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Hancock, Minnesota. He served in the United States Army from 1957 - 1959. Ralph was a top trapshooter who shot trap all around the country. He was Minnesota state all around trapshooting champion in 1970. He shot trap all over the country including Nevada and Hawaii and won many ATA events. Ralph loved hunting from the time he was a boy in Hancock, Minnesota thru his 80’s. He hunted all around the United States, Alaska, Canada and South America for waterfowl, big game and game birds. He made lifelong friends on his hunting journeys. Ralph was featured in waterfowl magazines during his hunting trips in Alaska and Canada. Ralph came to Anoka in the early 60’s and got a job as a meat cutter at the local Super Valu grocery store. He would eventually buy the store and it was named Ralph’s Super Valu. After that he bought a grocery store in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. He later opened a liquor store with his wife Judy called Highway 10 Liquor, then opened a Gun and Pawn shop called Ralph’s Gun and Pawn. He touched a lot of lives and made a lot of lifelong friends through his businesses.

Ralph was preceded in death by his mother Alice Ellen, father Herbert Nissen, his high school sweetheart and first wife Mary Susan, mother of Michael & Mary and his beloved second wife Judy. Judy loved him and his two kids with all her heart. He loved her with all his heart. They went on many adventures together. Ralph was a fighter who took on his cancer treatments head on. Ralph loved his daily call from his nephew Wes. He looked forward to his texts from his extended family, especially from Chopper, who lovingly called him Papa Ralph. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 3 pm until 6 pm with a sharing of memories at 5:30 pm at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Avenue, Anoka.