Ralph E. Westby, 93, of Maddock, ND, died Sunday, January 24th, 2010, at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, ND.  Funeral services will be Saturday, January 30th, 2010, 2:00 PM at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock with Pastor Luther Mathison officiating.  Burial will be in the Clearview Cemetery, rural Maddock.  Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7pm at the funeral home and Saturday before the service.  Casket bearers will be:  Lanny Fossen,  Billy Fossen,  Patrick Fossen,  Susan Fossen,  Melisa Fossen and Roger Westby.  Music will be from Rachel Markestad, organist and vocalist.

Ralph Edward Westby was born December 23, 1916 to Hans and Bergliot Westby near Maddock, ND.  He grew up and attended schools there.  Ralph farmed near Maddock until entering the U.S. Navy in 1944, serving two years.  He returned to Maddock and resumed farming.  On January 11th, 1947, Ralph married Shirley Olson.  While running his farm, he kept busy during the winter months working in his repair shop, Westby Motors, which he operated at his home for 29 years.  Ralph farmed for 49 years, retiring in 1991.  He had served on the board of trustees at North Viking Lutheran Church and was the South Viking Township Supervisor for several years.

Survivors include his wife:  Shirley;  a daughter:  Susan (Lanny) Fossen of Maddock; two grandsons:  Billy (Melissa) Fossen of Fargo and Patrick Fossen of Eau Claire, WI;  two great-grandchildren:  Logan and Ella Fossen and a sister:  Carol Kanikkeberg, of Bothel, WA.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents;  brothers:  Harlan, Orville and Lloyd;  and two sisters:  Muriel Wisness and Doris Tollefson.