GERALD LEE RALSTON 1921-2003

EVANS, RALSTON, HOUGH, HEARN, BELL, LIVINGOOD, TOPEL, GELO, SCHUTTE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/12/2005 at 16:32:51

GERALD LEE RALSTON

Gerald Ralston, age 83, passed away Friday, December 12, 2003, at a Medford, Ore., hospital following a serious illness and surgery.

Gerald Lee, son of Earl and Phoena (Evans) Ralston was born February 17, 1921, on the family farm southwest of Rossville, Iowa. He attended Bear Hollow Country School and graduated from Waukon Senior High in 1939.

After graduation, he went to California, where he worked until he was inducted in the US Army, serving with the 24th Medical Battalion as a Medical Technician from May 1945 until January 1947. He served in the United States and Japan and was discharged at Camp Beale, Calif., following the end of World War II.

In 1942, he married Sybil Hough. She passed away in 1971. Gerald spent 35 years at Northrop Aircraft, retiring in 1985.

In 1976, he married Nancy Hearn, a co-worker at Northrop Aircraft. They moved to Escondido, Calif., where they lived several years. They later moved to Yreka, Calif., where they lived when Gerald became ill. Gerald liked to go camping and fishing and Nancy and he traveled across the United States.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his step-daughter, Debbie (Marl) Bell; one brother, Leon (Pauline) Ralston of Dubois, Wyo.; and two sisters, Roberta (William) Livingood of Waukon and Lucille (Wilburt) Topel of Milwaukee, Wis.

Gerald was preceded in death by three sisters, Beulah (Milo) Livingood of Postville, Helen (George) Gelo of Waukon, and Marjorie (Ruben) Schutte of Decorah; two brothers, Curtis (who died at age six) and Dale Ralston of Lenexa, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.

©Waukon Standard 2003
source: Waukon Standard, Waukon, Allamakee Co. IA, 12/24/2003