Ralph was born Dec. 13, 1932. At 17, Ralph crashed his private plane, losing his eyesight. He married Kay Muggaberg in 1956. They raised four biological children and adopted a fifth child. Over time, the couple housed over 50 others including many deaf foster children. Ralph served as the assistant director at Minnesota State Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped in St. Paul until his retirement in 1991. Ralph served on many Boards of Directors and committees and volunteered for many causes. He co-founded Whole Grain Milling Company.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Kay Muggaberg Hilgendorf; siblings, John, Al, Doug, and Joel Hilgendorf; children, Kris Hilgendorf (Tim Cusick), Cherry Flowers (Tim Page), Betsy Hilgendorf (Rich Della Porta), Dhaivyd Hilgendorf (Diana Weddigen), and Larry Wichern; grandchildren, April Cusick Greibrok (Per), Emily Cusick Ratzmann (Eric), Sonja Flowers, Sylvan and Kaia Hilgendorf-Roost; and great-grandchild, Leif Greibrok. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Elsie (Wassman) Hilgendorf; his brother, Burdette Hilgendorf; and sister, Eunice (Hilgendorf) Wahl. Donations in Ralph’s name are appreciated to Scattergood School, Friends School of Minnesota, Friends for a Nonviolent World, or Twin Cities Friends Meeting. Condolences may be sent to Kay Hilgendorf at 1701 Englewood Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104.

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