Ralph E. DeRaad

Ralph DeRaad, 87, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, also at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Ralph DeRaad was born November 23, 1938, in Ireton, Iowa, to Alvin and Alice (Voorhees) DeRaad. In his early teens, the family relocated to a farm near Brandon, South Dakota. He and his brothers, Robert and Duane, attended Brandon Schools and then SDSU. Ralph enlisted in the Air National Guard and served as an Aircraft Mechanic from 1960-1966. He married Nadene Venema in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 20, 1960.

He taught school in Montrose, SD, and then they moved back to the family farm near Brandon, SD. They farmed and he taught school for the next 35 years in the Sioux Falls School systems. He was a leader in education and was on the local township board for decades.

Grateful for having shared his life are his sons, Roger (Linda) DeRaad of Rapid City, SD, Gary (Jennifer) DeRaad of Fort Collins, CO, and Alan (Lorna) DeRaad of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Grace, Claire, Clinton, Trent, and Lindsey; 7 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Duane DeRaad of Taos, NM, and Robert (Caroline) DeRaad of Morrison, CO.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nadene; and daughter, Sharon.