Ralph Halaas was born in 1889 in Carrington, the son of E.T. and Lena Rusten Halaas. On November 27, 1922, he married Minnie Shawndt, who was born April 22, 1894, the daughter of August and Hilda Stalter Schawndt. Always interested in music, Ralph played both the violin and piano in dance orchestras and at the Grand Theater in Carrington. The Halaas family quit farming and moved to Seattle in 1943, where Ralph worked at Boeing Aircraft.
Ralph and Minnie had two children: Lillian and Russell. Both Russell and his son are ministers.
Mrs. Halaas died in February 1980 and is buried in Kvernes Cemetery. Mr. Halaas resides at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 91B