Ralph Ervin Leistikow

St. Charles, Ralph Ervin Leistikow, 69, of St. Charles who had courageously battled cancer for nearly two years, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, July 27th. He was surrounded by his family. He was born August 14, 1940 in Canton, MN to Ervin and Winifred (Duxbury) Leistikow. He was baptized and confirmed in the Canton Presbyterian Church. Ralph graduated from Canton High School in 1958 and from Winona State College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in physical education. He also received a Master's Degree in education from Winona State in 1970. Ralph and Phyllis Bakken were married on June 6, 1964 at Madison Lutheran Church near Decorah, Iowa. Ralph taught at Melrose-Mindoro School in Wisconsin. In August of 1967, the couple moved to St. Charles, Minnesota. Ralph taught physical education at St. Charles Elementary School and coached until retiring in 1999. Following his retirement, Ralph drove school bus for nine years. Ralph was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church; member and two-time past-president of the St. Charles Lions Club. He was inducted into the Winona County Fair Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Ralph was active in Softball for 53 years, and was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame in 2008. He was an avid Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Gopher fan and enjoyed playing golf. He loved to watch his grandchildren in their activities. He was chosen to be one of the Grand Marshals in the Canton Day-Off Parade in 2009. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; three children: Debra Campbell of Rochester, Daniel (Lani) Leistikow and Roger (Kathleen) Leistikow of St. Charles; seven grandchildren: Ellen, Aaron, Luke, Drew, Mitchell, Sydney and Samantha; a great-grandson, Reece; two brothers: Richard of Canton and Robert (Nancy) of Maui, Kahei, Hawaii; and a sister Elinor (Ervin)Tienter of Preston; and a nephew, Nathaniel Tienter. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law. Funeral Services will be 11AM Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with The Reverend Stephen McGinley officiating Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Friday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles. They may also call one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Please share a memory of Ralph on-line and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. In Lieu of flowers please give to the Mayo Clinic Cancer Research of Rochester or the donors favorite charity.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/153150