On November 28, 2015, our beloved husband, father and grandfather was called home by the Lord.

Ralph was born on August 3, 1949 in Artesia, California to Hendrikus “Henry” and Pieje “Patricia” (VanderMuelen) VanEsch.  The youngest of eight surviving children, Ralph was the only member of the family to be born in the U. S.  After the death of his father in 1959, Ralph and his family moved to Mount Vernon where he attended school, graduating with the Mount Vernon High School class of 1969.

Upon graduation, he enlisted with the Army and served both stateside and in Germany.  He was honorably discharged in 1971.

In 1972, he married Jacqueline Jonas and together had three daughters, Vanessa, Kelley and Katie.  They later divorced and in 1985, married Linda (Tate) Cole.

Ralph worked for a time at Whitco Woodworking, carving wooden statues, until they closed.  He then went to work for the Mount Vernon School District, later transferring to Sedro-Woolley, where he remained until his retirement in 2005.  In 2007, he began working at the Skagit Valley Casino, retiring from there in January, 2015.  He was a 33 year member of the George Baldridge American Legion Post 43, Sedro-Woolley.

Ralph’s greatest joys were his children, grandchildren, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Peter VanEsch and a sister, Betty Reijm.

He is survived by his wife, Linda VanEsch; daughters, Vanessa (Chris) Perez, of Arizona, Kelley (Greg) Evans, of Oak Harbor and Katie (Jeff) Rex, of Mount Vernon; stepdaughter, Wendy (Scott) Chambers, of Sedro-Woolley; grandchildren, Troy, Sydney and Brianna Perez, Lucas, Jake and Wyatt Evans, Olivia Rex, Jessica and Cassidy Chambers; brothers, Hank (Donna) VanEsch, of Alabama, Randy (Linda) VanEsch, of Mount Vernon, Andy (Debbie) VanEsch, of Mount Vernon; sister, Ann (Danny) Barnett, of Arizona; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ralph was a kind, generous and loving man- he will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30, Sunday, December 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Clear Lake, 12732 Hemlock Street, Clear Lake, with Military Honors and with Pastor John Batts presiding.  A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, 9:00 to 5:00, Wednesday from 9:00 to 7:00 and Thursday from 9:00 to 5:00 at Lemley Chapel.  Friends are invited to join the family in a reception at Cascade Christian Church, 534 Township Street, Sedro-Woolley following the Memorial Service.  Ralph will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley.