Ralph P. Cordes

Died March 19, 2024

LAKE LEELANAU - Ralph Peter Cordes was born in 1943, the fifth of seven children to Ralph and Lucille Cordes.

Ralph started working in the Mercantile store in Leland with his father and uncle in his teens and ended up graduating from St. Mary’s as covaledictorian with his high school sweetheart, later turned wife Esther Cordes (nee Grant). They exchanged vows on August 27, 1965, at St. Mary of the Assumption in Lake Leelanau.

Ralph graduated from Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and started his career in manufacturing organizations. Management positions in different companies took him around the country and the world.

Ralph returned to Lake Leelanau later in his life and tried many new careers, including helping countless residents with their taxes, all while providing unwavering support to his mother (while alive) and oldest sister Susie.

Everyone that knew Ralph would say that he was steadfast and the most intelligent person of anyone they knew, all while he proclaimed he never had a headache in his life. Sadly, his health declined due to complications with his lungs and heart.

Ralph is survived by his devoted wife, Esther; his son, Patrick; three grandchildren, Niall, Ana, and Zoe Cordes; and his siblings Susan Cordes, Esther Brow, Peter (Carol) Cordes, Mary (Walter) Weaver, Katherine Cook, and Patricia (Fred) Vincent. He also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Kelly, and his brother-in-law Ron Brow.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m. with the family greeting friends from 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption, Lake Leelanau. Burial to follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Father Ben Martin will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary’s School P.O Box 340 Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 or 5 Loaves 2 Fish PO Box 516, Leland, MI 49654 or Leelanau Christian Neighbors P.O. Box 196 Lake Leelanau, MI 49653 Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.