BORTER, Ralph Arthur --- 1920-1999

MEIER, BORTER, LYNCH, WICKMAN, STEWART, KOSKI, KEE, SHARP, SCHIEFELBEIN, ROLZ

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 12/30/2012 at 15:00:16

Ralph Arthur Borter

Funeral services for Ralph Borter were held Thursday, September 9, 1999 at 2 p.m. at the Schutte Funeral Home in Postville, Iowa. The Rev. Gary Catterson officiated. Inurnment was Saturday, September 11, 1999 in the Oakland Cemetery at Waukon, Iowa. Military Honors were performed by the AMVETS of Monona. The Schutte Funeral Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

Ralph Arthur Borter, the son of Arthur A. and Charlotte (Meier) Borter, was born December 3, 1920 in Makee Township, Allamakee County, near Waukon, Iowa. He passed away Friday, September 3, 1999 at his home in Monona, IA. He had reached the age of 78 years and 9 months.

He was confirmed in 1933. He had been a member of the Glenwood Moravian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Ralph was graduated from West High School in Madison. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded several medals for overseas service.

In his early years Ralph lived in the Postville area. He moved to Madison, WI where he worked in the electronics business from 1950 to 1953. He then moved to Chicago. Besides the electronics business, Ralph also refinished pianos and other furniture. On May 3, 1969 he was married to Jean Lynch. Ralph and Jean lived in Evanston and Chicago. In 1988 they and their grandsons Brett and Michael Sharp moved to Monona, IA.

Ralph loved to read and collected many books as well as antiques. They loved to travel, having been to both the East and West coasts and Canada, and to visit antique exhibits. Ralph particularly enjoyed attending flower shows. His love of music since childhood included jazz, classical, and folk music. Ralph played both the piano and the trombone.

He is preceded in death by his parents and a step-sister, Elsbeth Wickman and an uncle, John Meier in 1984.

Surviving are his wife, Jean, of Monona, a son, Rex Stewart of Monona, twin daughters, Nancy Koski of Waukegan, IL and Sally Kee of Evanston, IL; grandchidren, Brett (Monica) Sharp of Monona, Michael (Heather Bossard) Sharp of Olds, IA, Ted Sharp of Chicago, Phillip (Darlene) Kee, (USN), Linda Kee of Evanston, Cynthia Sharp and David (Cat) Kee of Florida; 15 great grandchildren, a step-brother, Ted (Beulah) Schiefelbein of Lake Pepin, WI, and a half-sister, Hattie Rolz of Castro Valley, California.

He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.