Ralph J. Desgroseillier

Ralph Joseph Desgroseillier, 85, of Yakima, went to join his loving wife Mary on Friday April 22, 2011, thus answering his prayers to be reunited with her. Ralph was born on February 9, 1926 in Yakima to Ovilla and Clara (Cote) Desgrosellier. He attended Marquette Elementary and Marquette High School. His education was interrupted by military service during WWII. His father signed his enlistment papers in the Navy when he was 17 and he completed high school after the end of the war. He next attended J. M. Perry trade school until his job at Schicktel Bros. became full time.

He married Mary Bobst on August 3, 1948 at St. Joseph Church in Yakima. Ralph was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Moxee and was a member of their Knights of Columbus council. He had a strong faith which he passed on to his children. He taught them that faith, honesty and integrity was the key to a happy life.

Ralph joined the Plumbers and Steamfitter Union when he started his career in industrial refrigeration. His skills were always in demand allowing him to work for several contractors in the Valley. He retired from Doubl-Kold in 1991 then enjoyed a second career as a plant operator for Congdon Orchards until 2004. He was a talented man who enjoyed raising livestock and working in his shop. He was a home handyman and never bought anything he could build himself, including a car muffler.

He is survived by his children, Jean (Theron) Hunter of Shoreline, Rex Desgroseillier of Northglenn, CO, Marc (Cindy) Desgroseillier of Yakima, Joan (Scott) Eschbach of Yakima, Brad Desgroseillier of Selah, and Sue (Steve) Deatherage of Beaverton, OR; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; a brother, Bob (Julie) of Yakima, sister-in-laws Helen Desgrosellier of Vancouver and Kay Desgrosellier of Seattle and a brother-in-law Gordon Buman of Eastsound. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary, his parents, sisters Mary Jane Folk, Jeanette Buman and Marian Canon, brothers Paul, Louie, Elmer and Morrie.

Viewing will be from 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m., at Langevin –Mussetter Funeral Home, Tuesday April 26th.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. , April 27, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Moxee.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Church in Moxee or to the favorite charity of the donor, c/o Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home.

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

The family offers their special thanks to YVMH Hospice nurse Tana; the staff at Sun Towers Retirement Home; and Allan & Lou Gasseling during his short stay at Gasseling House.