Ralph Leslie Cutting

BYRON, MN:Ralph L. Cutting, 88, of Byron passed away at his home December 19, 2013. Ralph was born April 29, 1925 in Kalmar Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota to Fred and Mary Inez (King) Cutting.In 1943, he graduated from Byron High School where he was quarterback of the first football team.In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corp in Italy during WWII.After being discharged he attended the University of Minnesota to study horticulture.He married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Fuchs in 1947.They were married 45 years until Marjories death in 1992.Ralph then married Nelva Loughrey a life-long friend; they were married 16 years until Nelvas death in 2010. For ten years he worked for his father at Cuttings Nursery in Byron.In 1953 he bought the nursery from his father and operated it for 25 years.Ralph worked for seventeen years as a custodian for the Byron Elementary School and eventually became Head Custodian. Ralph was a very active member of Byron United Methodist Church.He served as Lay Leader, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the Administrative Board, a member of the Council on Ministries, a Trustee and was on many other committees.He served on the United Methodist South East District Board of Ordained Ministry. He served on the Byron School Board for six years.He was a sixty year member of Zumbro Valley Grange in Byron and had been a member of the Minnesota State Grange Executive Committee.Ralph belonged to Sumner R. Hair American Legion Post, Byron Area Historical Society and Mantorville Senior Citizens. Ralph is survived by his four children, Deanna (Bill) Stinemates of Waupaca, WI, David (Rita) of Easton, Pennsylvania, Patricia Cutting of Byron, John (Karen) of Byron; 12 grandchildren, Crystal Stinemates, Karen (Mike) Black, Daniel (Rachel) Stinemates, David Stinemates (Karen Peterson), Greg Cutting, Kim (Kevin) Atkinson, Kent Cutting, Tara Mulliner (Sam Nestrud), Erin Cutting, Jessica (Adam) Falk, Kelly Cutting (Dana Stenzel), Jared Cutting; 3 great-grandchildren Calvin Stinemates, Josephina Cutting, Dawson Black. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, two brothers Rev. Edwin Cutting, and Clyde who was killed in the Philippines during WWII. Ralph always had a smile for anyone and a warm handshake or hug.He was an historian of Byrons past.He loved sharing stories of his past, his family and his life experiences.Most of all he loved his family. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Byron United Methodist Church (511 1st Ave NW) with Rev. David Mead officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the church and one hour before the service at the church.Burial will be in the Byron cemetery.Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester, MN, 55901, 507-289-3600, www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.