Ralph E. Besser, age 73, of Albert Lea, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at Fairview-Southdale Hospital, Edina, Minn.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church, New Richland. The Rev. Patti Haaheim will officiate. Interment will be in LeSueur River Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland.

Ralph was born on April 2, 1930, the son of Sylvester and Martha Besser of Waldorf. He went to school in Waldorf. On Oct. 6, 1950, he married Margella Bakken in Myrtle, making their home in New Richland for 40 years and residing the last 10 years in Albert Lea. Ralph worked for Kalke Block and Tile. He later purchased Bob’s Step Company and New Richland Railing where he was co-owner. III health forced early retirement in 1988. Ralph served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1949 until being honorably discharged in 1955. Ralph was a member of the First Congregational Church in New Richland. He enjoyed traveling, card playing, tinkering with cars and spending time with family.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Margella Besser of Albert Lea; two daughters: Susan Pfeffer and her husband Michael of New Richland, and Shirley Burton of New Richland, and special friend Jens Andersen of Blooming Prairie; son, Allen Besser and his wife Halane of Alden; five grandchildren: James Pfeffer and his wife Pam of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jill Johnson and her husband Jerry D. Johnson of Waseca, Jamie Besser and special friend Matt Holm of St. Cloud, Jared Besser of Brownsdale, and Jeremy Besser of Albert Lea; five great-grandchildren: Brandon, Dakota and Cami Johnson, and Michael and Benjamin Pfeffer; two brothers: Richard Besser and his wife Joan of New Richland, and Sylvester Besser Jr. and his wife Nathalie of New Richland; three sisters: Sylvia Berg and her husband William of New Richland, Lorna Motley and her husband Ray of New Richland, and Lorraine Berg and her husband Gary of Mesa, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one son, Todd Besser; and granddaughter, Jessica Burton.