White Bear Lake - Ralph Chris Rinkel, 89, died at the home of his son after a short illness.
Funeral services were held January 13, 1997 at First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake.
Ralph was raised in Antler, ND. He ran the family's Ford dealership in Antler while his father Frank, started a Ford dealership in Thief River Falls in the late 1920's. After a few years he joined his father in Thief River Falls, but they decided they wanted to sell Chevrolets. They got the franchise in 1935 and worked together until Chris bought Wolfe Chevrolet in St. Paul in 1949. He changed the name to Merit Chevrolet in 1951. He was a Chevrolet dealer for 62 years, the last 47 at Merit Chevrolet in St. Paul. He was also instrumental in establishing the airport in Thief River Falls.
He was a longtime Shriner and Jester. He served on the board of directors at Northwest East Bank from 1951 to 1976. He was active in the MN Auto Dealers Association, serving as president in 1957.
He is survived by children Bruce (Donna) of Woodbury, and Marlys (Darrell) Weinman of Medford, OR; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister Blanche Roeber of Sun City, AZ.
He was preceded in death by wife Ella; and sister Grace Rinkel.