“Ralph Beastrom, age 81, passed away peacefully at Methodist Hospital in Rochester on Thursday, March 7, 2024, after a difficult battle with cancer.” His obituary shared his life’s story, but sitting down with his wife Carol added to Ralph’s legacy.
We usually only share a story about the Volunteer of the Year; not the runner-up. But Ralph’s impact on the community and the lives he enriched was worth sharing.
Carol reflected on how they ended up in Harmony, Minn.
Both Ralph and Carol grew up in Minneapolis, 10 blocks from each other. They didn’t meet until they both attend Minneapolis North High School. They married in 1963, and moved to Rochester, Minn., in 1965.
He worked at IBM for 32 years as an electrical technician and eventually an electrical engineer.
Together, Ralph and Carol raised three children – Tim, Sharyl, and Craig. As an employee of IBM, and a father of three children, Ralph committed himself to 10 years in the Naval Air Reserve. It was a busy time in his and Carol’s lives, driving their kids around to soccer games and tournaments, Boy Scouts, and camping trips.
After retiring from IBM, Ralph and Carol were looking through the Post-Bulletin and noticed a listing for a bed and breakfast located in Harmony, Minn. They contacted the realtor and scheduled a time to look at the home. They knew when they saw the home that they had to have it.
They moved to Harmony in 1995 and began a new chapter in their lives. They embraced all that Harmony had to offer, and they looked forward to helping out wherever they could.
They ran their bed and breakfast, known as the Selvig House, for 20 years, while also launching a couple of other businesses. They operated two gift stores – Skandinavien Blooma in Harmony, Minn., and Liv Blooma in Lanesboro, Minn.
Ralph was active in the Lions Club, Hamony Area Historical Society, and the local bike trail and cross country ski trail groups. And, Carol volunteered with Greenfield Lutheran Church.
When Ralph wasn’t working or volunteering his time, he could be found pedaling his way up and down the trails. “His passion was riding bike,” Carol shared with a smile.
He was nominated by Richard and Annette Kiehne for his volunteer work with the Harmony Area Historical Society. “He gave countless hours to this organization among many organizations,” they shared. Ralph had a servant mindset. He was pleasant, smiled often, a good listener, and organized.
For anyone who has ever thought about getting involved in something. Volunteering. Ralph is one of many inspiring individuals that made his community a better place. Volunteers are unsung heroes.
Carol feels that Ralph’s proudest accomplishment was getting the elevator in Harmony on the national registry. When tourists and locals visit the elevator, there’s a sign recognizing this distinction not too far from another sign acknowledging the Harmony Area Historical Society.
Ralph Beastrom has cemented his place in Harmony’s history in many ways. There is still more work to be done, and with his inspiration, the volunteer wheels will keep turning like Ralph on the bike trail.
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