Ralph West McQuirk 1883-1940

MCQUIRK, WEST, WALLACE, WALKER, AMLONG, CALLAGHAN, HALL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/11/2011 at 20:04:52

Superior Man Dies Friday
Superior friends and many acquaintances in Estherville were shocked Friday night when news of the death of Ralph McQuirk, 58, reached here. Mr. McQuirk, 58, underwent a major operation at Broadlawns hospital, Des Moines, recently and passed away there, never having recovered from the operation. Although he had been in poor health for some time, he continued to work at his oil station, only recently going with his brother, Dr. Phil McQuirk, to Audubon and from there he went to Des Moines to undergo his operation. Mr. McQuirk was a familiar figure to local people, many of them having visited him at the oil station which he operated just across the road and west of he Superior school.

Funeral services were held this (Tuesday) morning at 9:00 o’clock at the St. Patrick’s church in Estherville, with burial in the Catholic cemetery.

Ralph Walter McQuirk was born Dec. 4, 1881 at Early, Ia., where he grew to manhood. He passed away Feb. 2, 1940 at the age of 58 years, 1 month and 29 days, at Des Moines General hospital where he had been the past two weeks for treatment. He had been in failing health for the past two years.
He was united in marriage to Oral E. Amlong, Nov. 10, 1913. She preceded him in death seven years ago, on Jan. 17, 1933.

To this union seven children were born, one dying in infancy. The children who survive are Ruth, Phillip, Beth, Mary Ann, Edward and Carol. Also surviving are five brothers, Dr. Phillip of Audubon, Joe of Spirit Lake, James of Early, Edward of Plainview, So. Dak., Samuel of Sturgis, So. Dak. and one sister, Mae, of Plainview, So. Dak. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 6, 1940)

Superior Father Dies Friday in Des Moines
Ralph W. McQuirk Passed Away Following Operation – Funeral Tuesday
Ralph McQuirk of Superior died Friday night at Des Moines General hospital in Des Moines following an operation. He had been in failing health for the past two years, and three weeks ago was taken to the home of his brother, Dr. Phil McQuirk, at Audubon, and later to Des Moines. On February 1, he submitted to an operation and in his weakened condition was unable to withstand the ordeal and passed away before his children, who had been sent for, arrived at his bedside.

Ralph Walker McQuirk was born in Early, Iowa, December 4, 1881, where he grew to manhood. He passed away February 2, 1940, at the age of 58 years, 1 month and 28 days.

November 10, 1913, he was united to Miss Orral Amlong of Latham, Kan. Mrs. McQuirk passed away seven years ago on January 17, 1933; the father having been left with six small children to raise. He was a faithful, loving father, working to keep his family together. He was a willing, helpful neighbor, loved and respected by all who knew him.

The family moved to Superior about 15 years ago, having previously live in and near Spirit Lake. For a number of years Mr. McQuirk conducted the service station across from the school, after which he drove a school bus for several years.
He is survived by six children, two sons, Phil and Edward, and four daughters, Ruth, Beth, Mary Ann and Carol. He also leaves five brothers, Dr. Phil McQuirk of Audubon, Joseph of Spirit Lake, James of Early, Edward of Plainview, S.D., Samuel of Sturgis, S.D., and one sister, Mae, of Plainview, S.D., all of whom were here with their respective families for the funeral. Other out-of-town relatives who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Callaghan Jr., of Emmetsburg, Robert and Lawrence McQuirk of Early, Harry Amlong of Latham, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Corwin Hall of Rosalia, Kan., brothers-in-law of Mr. McQuirk.

Services were held Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock at St. Patrick’s cemetery at Estherville, beside his wife. (Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, IA, February 8, 1940)

Note: According to WWI Draft Registration Card, Ralph West McQuirk was born Dec. 4, 1883. (signature reflects that same name.)