Ralph was born the son of Steven and Petronella Kluvers, in Orange City, Iowa, in 1892. He grew up and received his schooling there. In 1909 he came with his family to North Dakota, living on the East ½ of Section 30, Springcreek Township In 1918 he married Bess Verduin and was drafted into the army. It was the last days of WW I and he was home in the spring of 1919. He hired out to Henry Prange who farmed in Section 12, Greenland Township.
In the fall of 1919 Ralph and Bess rented their own farm from Cort Eilts. In 1922 they rented a farm from Gus Miller and moved to the Northeast ¼ of Section 1 of Rosebud Twp. In 1926 Ralph's father-in-law was looking for a renter and they decided to move there. Here they stayed for 20 years and became part of the community. Their only child, a son Harvey, was born here in 1928. In 1944 they had their first experience with the combination of a good crop with good prices. With this boost they decided to buy their own farm and bought the Southeast ¼ of Section 19, Springcreek Twp. and Southwest ¼ of Section 24, Rosebud Twp. After some remodeling on the buildings they moved there in 1946. In 1950 their son Harvey married Darlene Van Bruggen. Ralph and Bess decided to turn the farm buildings over to them and moved to Litchville. Ralph continued with the farming operation while they both became adjusted to town living.
During all their married life they were members of, and active in the Litchville Reformed Church, both helping in various positions and Ralph on the church board for many years. They eventually rented the land to their son and after some months of failing health Ralph passed away in 1967. Bess continued to live in their home until 1972 when she sold it and moved to Park Lanes Apartments where she is still living.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 127