Ralph Herbert Quaas was an Everett native, a loving father and husband, a passionate advocate for those in need, rooted in his community, and our longtime local florist.

An avid boater and crabber, Ralph could often be found on the waters of the Puget Sound, and particularly in the San Juan Islands. He loved traveling—especially visiting family in Germany and cruising the world with Kay, spending more than 300 days at sea. He also managed to visit every U.S. state except West Virginia. Ralph never missed a chance to serve salmon at Our Savior’s fall kickoff—or to enjoy a scoop of ice cream. Known affectionately as “Papa Quaas” or “Ralphie,” he was a friend to all.

Ralph’s life was dedicated to serving others, from his time with the Jaycees—embracing their motto, “Service to humanity is the best work of life”—to his remarkable record of over 61 years of perfect attendance with the Rotary Club of Everett, where he lived out “Service above self.”

From 1966 to 2006, Ralph owned and operated City Floral. For him, the shop was much more than a business; it was a way to make friends and a base for countless acts of community service. He gave his time, resources, and leadership to an extraordinary number of organizations, including (in no particular order): Washington State University Alumni Association (Go Cougs!), Everett PTA (serving as president at all three of his daughter Kari’s schools), Everett Hi-Y, St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank, Everett High School Class of 1952 reunion committee, United Way, Florists’ Transworld Delivery (FTD), Allied Florists, Volunteers of America, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Hope, Rotary Club of Everett and Rotary International, Everett Jaycees, Everett Power Squadron, Everett Symphony, View Ridge Madison Neighborhood Association and Council of Neighborhoods, Sons of Norway Normanna Lodge #3 pancake breakfasts, washing dishes at the Carl Gipson Senior Center, Everett Faith in Action, Providence Hospital, Puget Sound Blood Center, Interfaith Family Shelter, Hospice of Snohomish County, Everett Gospel Mission, Everett Probus, Rise Up Academy, Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens, Everett Recovery Café, Everett YMCA, and more.

He also served in ROTC in college and spent two years in the U.S. Army after graduating from Washington State College with a degree in agriculture. In 2014, Ralph was honored with the Roger Bouck Award for Volunteerism in Action from United Way for his unwavering commitment to building a culture of service—and even threw out the first pitch at an Everett AquaSox game.

Ralph showed up. He did the work that needed to be done. He supported the causes he believed in. He got his hands dirty.

As his daughter, I can say he was also my greatest cheerleader—always there for everything I did, from Sorticulture to the Plant Sale, from making a video about his father and grandfather for Tales of Two Rivers to celebrating birthdays, or simply helping in the garden. He even loved my cats. I’m deeply grateful I moved back to Everett in 2013. Sharing his caregiving in the last few years with his wife Kay, and being his independence champion, are experiences I will treasure always. In the end, his kidneys and inability to serve were the reasons he had to go. We were so lucky to have him for 91½ years.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, J. Herbert and Gertrude (Schumacher) Quaas; his friend and Kari’s mother, Ellen (Laaback) Quaas; his brother-in-law, Chester (Bud) Beard II; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Germany.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Conzemius) Quaas; her daughters Jenny, Jane, Josie, and Gina, their spouses, and many grandchildren; his daughter, Kari Quaas, and son-in-law, Oliver Ross; his in-laws, Tom and Linda Ross; his sister, Evelyn (Quaas) Beard; niece Julie (Beard) Rozell and husband Calvin; nephew Chester (Buzz) Beard III; niece Krystine Beard; brother-in-law Robert Laaback and wife Gay; niece Jennifer Laaback; nephew Scott Laaback; cousin Sigrid Arnke of Hannover, Germany; many other relatives in Germany, and a countless number of friends and neighbors.

A special thanks to Azeb from Ana’s Adult Family Home, who cared for Ralph like family at the end of his journey.

Memorials in Ralph’s honor may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Volunteers of America Food Bank, the Rotary Club of Everett’s Local Impact Committee, Puget Sound Kidney Centers (PSKC) Foundation or any charity of your choice. He would encourage everyone to keep giving their time—and to show up for the people and organizations you love. His impact on Everett will continue for generations to come.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held on November 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 215 W. Mukilteo Boulevard, Everett, WA. Ralph generously willed his body to the University of Washington and, in time, will be interred at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Ralph H. Quaas
March 26, 1934 – October 10, 2025