Obituary of Herman Joseph Ratelle

Herman, a longtime resident of Edina, Minnesota passed away on May 11, 2015 surrounded by family. He was born in International Falls, Minnesota on July 24, 1923. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Virginia Ratelle, brother Alex Ratelle, sisters Marian Rubel and Virginia Edwards and grandson Adam Ratelle. Herman is survived by his wife Therese (nee Jebb) and children Thomas (Deb), Paul (Constance), Marguerite (James) Baumer, Stephen (Catherine), John (Mary) and Mary Brigid (Jeffrey) Spence. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Service was more than a word to Herman, it was a defining principle. He proudly enlisted in the Army in February, 1943 and served with the 14th Armored Division, 25th Tank Battalion. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained on February 1, 1945. He also received the Bronze Star. Following his discharge from the service, Herman attended the University of Minnesota and went on to practice law in Minneapolis for over 50 years. He was a founding partner of Warner, Ratelle and Hennessy which changed through his years of practice and ultimately, prior to his retirement in 2002, became the firm of Moss and Barnett. Herman believed strongly in the importance of education. He was a trustee at the College of St. Benedict and acted as chairperson for ten years. He was an advisor for the Kellogg Foundation and also served as a director for several non-profit foundations with a focus on education. Herman believed in service and gave generously of his time to many organizations including the Church of St. Patrick of Edina, the Knights of Columbus, the Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Ethics Committee, charitable causes for Native Americans, programs for disabled veterans, and the Edina Historical Society. “Hunter, Fisher, Trapper and Guide” describes Herman. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and took every opportunity to spend time with friends and family fishing and hunting. He was also an avid golfer. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, May 21, 2015 with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the Church of St. Patrick of Edina, Valley View at Gleason Road, Edina. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota or the St. John’s University School of Theology, Collegeville, Minnesota.