RALSTON, Donald Curtis 1927-2014

RALSTON, YETTER, KENNEDY

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/5/2015 at 21:11:40

Died: Dec 30, 2014

Biography

Donald Curtis Ralston, 87, of Waterloo, died at his daughter Dianne’s home, Tuesday, December 30, 2014 of cancer.

Don was born May 2, 1927, in Waterloo, son of Glenn Edwin and Alyce Fern (Yetter) Ralston. He married Joan Dorothy Kennedy December 19, 1947, in Waterloo; she died June 9, 1996.

Don attended high school in Davenport. He served as a US Navy signalman during World War II. After his return from serving his country, Don met his future wife, Joan, while both worked at the Paramount Theatre in Waterloo. He also worked in Research and Development at Rath Packing Company for many years and then as a computer programmer and office manager at the Carnation/Nestle Plant in Waverly for 22 years, retiring in 1989. Donald was a member of Linden United Methodist Church.

Don had been a member of Toastmasters. He always said that experience gave him the ability to speak before a group about anything on a moment’s notice. Don also learned Russian in his youth and retained it to the end. He quoted some Russian to his daughters during his final hospital stay in Iowa City.

During the 48 years Don and Joan were married they enjoyed spending vacation time in Minnesota fishing. They also liked attending auctions – even better if they could come home with a “deal”. Don enjoyed bowling and was a member of two senior bowling leagues for many years. As recently as a month ago he bowled a 236. He loved to play cards and played weekly with a group of friends and family.

For many years a fairly large group of family members would meet weekly for “family reunion” lunches at the Jefferson House restaurant on Fletcher Avenue. Over the last few years Don was a regular fixture at the Village Inn on Ridgeway, eating there daily. I’m sure the staff at the VI will miss his smiling face.

Donald had a heart for others. For years he read to residents at a local nursing home, including a blind woman. He enjoyed visiting with his shut-in brother-in-law, Ray. He also befriended his widowed neighbor and watched her cat when she would go out of town to visit her children. He didn’t see these actions as extraordinary; he simply felt they were the right thing to do.

Before his dementia set in Don loved using his computer for keeping his financial records in order. For many years Don “played” the stock market and used to check his portfolio on-line daily. If the market was up it was a good day. If it was down – then not so much. He used to be able to tell you daily how much his portfolio went up or down, to the dollar.

When TIVO first came out Don thought that was the best invention ever and purchased a life-time membership. That way he could watch his mysteries, rodeos and ALL the golf matches.

Don loved concerts and would purchase season tickets to all the local events: the Metro Concert Series; Hawkeye Community College Artists Series; and the summer Community Band concerts in the park as well as the New Horizons Band concerts. He attended the concerts with his sister-in-law, Genevieve, or his daughter, Dianne, and her husband Howard.

He was also a chocoholic, and chocolate cake was his favorite way to partake.

Don was strong and active until almost the end. He daily climbed the flight of stairs to and from his second floor bedroom, bowled and drove. In his final years Don suffered with progressive dementia, but fortunately was always able to remember those he knew and loved to the very end.

Don is survived by two daughters Dianne (Howard Coffin) Pearson of Waterloo and Barbara (Rodney) May of Northglenn, CO; two sons Gary and David (Beth Davis) Ralston of Waterloo; 13 grandchildren and 5 great‑grandchildren; two sisters‑in‑law Genevieve Kerfoot and Patricia Kennedy both of Waterloo. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joan, a stillborn daughter, two brothers Jack and Bob Ralston.

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Services:
Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at Linden United Methodist Church, 301 Butler St., Waterloo

Visitation:
Tuesday, January 6th at Locke Funeral Home

Cemetery: ???

Source: Locke Funeral Home