Ralph Melvin Shellrude

Ralph was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 18, 1927. He was the fifth child of Julius and Ruth Shellrude. Ralph attended Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1950 he left Canada with his wife, Marion Greiner, and baby son Glen, to study French in Paris, and then traveled to Guinea, West Africa where he and Marion ministered among the Kissi people for the next 20 years. He and Marion were greatly loved by the Kissi people. His two daughters, Beverly and Marilyn, were born during their years in Guinea.

In 1971, after being forced to return from Africa because of Marion?s health, Ralph took a position as co-Pastor at North Seattle Alliance Church, Seattle, WA., where he worked alongside of Dr. Wendell Price. In 1979 he was elected District Superintendent of the Alliance Churches in the Pacific Northwest where he served for three consecutive 3-year terms. He then served for three years as Assistant to the President for Development at the national office in Colorado Springs, CO.

On retiring he took a part-time position at Crossroads Alliance Church in Bremerton, WA., as the associate Pastor of adult ministries, including evangelism and missions. Ralph also led many trips to Asia and the South Pacific for people wanting to see missions at work. In 1992 Ralph and Marion truly retired but remained active in church, supporting and praying for missionaries, enjoying their friends and every moment spent with family.

One of Ralph?s greatest strengths was his passion and ability to empower and facilitate the visions of those around him. He was an extremely hard worker and gave himself fully to every task. He was a lover of God and a lover of people. Ralph and Marion opened their home and their hearts to all. Their love was deeply imprinted on the hearts of those whom they befriended. Ralph?s greatest passion was Marion, his wife of 54 years, his children and grandchildren.

A service celebrating Ralph?s life will be held Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the North Seattle Alliance church which is located at 2150 North 122 Street, Seattle, WA 98133.

Ralph Shellrude requested that remembrances be given to MK Safety Net Inc. www.mksafetynet.net.