Ralph B. Kristensen, 87, passed away April 30th, 2026. Born in Teaneck, NJ, and raised in New City, NY, Ralph enlisted in the US Army as a paratrooper in 1956 and served in Germany. After discharge, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna M. Guarino, in 1959, and graduated from Westchester (NY) Community College in 1961 and Arizona State University in 1963. He was transferred from New York to Illinois by Shell Oil in 1970.
Ralph worked for Advance Construction Co., Metropolitan Structures, Burnside Construction Co., Sundance Homes, and himself before retiring from DRH/Cambridge Homes in 2007. He spent 36 years in Chicagoland's real estate, land development, and construction industries. He was an active member of several Illinois home builder associations and a member of HBAGC's coveted Court of Honor.
Preceded in death by his parents, Bjarne (Barney) and Margit and a brother Eric (Janet) of Batavia, Ralph leaves his loving wife and best friend Donna and another brother, Roy (Pat) of Sandy, Utah. Also, children Keri (Brian) Fornek, Todd (Carole) Kristensen, fived adored grandchildren, Ryan (Sarah) Kristensen, Kelsey (Ryan Rektorski), Emily Fornek, Ben (Kaitlyn) Fornek, and Paige Fornek, and 6 beautiful great-grandchildren, Greyson, Ashlynn, Zoey, Lainey, Calvin, and Blakely, as well as nephews, nieces, and cousins here and in Norway.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with eulogies and memories being shared at 5:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Wounded Warrior Project, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (see below for donation information).
