GRATIAS, Ralph W., Sr. 1918-1998

GRATIAS, AHRENS, BEHM

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/21/2008 at 15:21:02

MASON CITY, IOWA — Ralph W. Gratias Sr., 79, of Mason City, died Monday (Jan. 12, 1998) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City.

A memorial Mass will be held for only immediate family at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Mason City, with the Rev. Carl Ries officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, with military graveside honors by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

According to his wishes, his body was cremated. There will be no visitation. Hogan Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, is in charge of arrangements.

The family of Ralph W. Gratias Sr. has requested that memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Ralph W. Gratias Sr. Memorial fund in his memory.

Ralph W. Gratias Sr. was born on May 16, 1918, in Nora Springs, the son of Hugo and Katherine (Ahrens) Gratias.

He attended and received his education in the Nora Springs and Mason City School system.

He was united in marriage to Ella E. Behm on July 6, 1940, at the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Mason City. She preceded him in death on March 19, 1997.

On Nov. 1, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, Minn., serving overseas in the European Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged on Feb. 9, 1946 at the Jefferson Barracks, Mo.

Following his discharge from the service he was a self-employed truck driver, working for various people and companies until he retired at the age of 57 to care for his special son, Ralph Gratias Jr.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Lou Blake and her husband, Leon, of Mason City, and Karen Levis and her husband, Jim, of Mason City; four grandchildren, Lori Yung, of Apple Valley, Minn.; Kevin Blake and Michelle Blake, both of Mason City; and Chad Levis, of Minneapolis, Minn.; two great-granddaughters, Abigail Yung and Emily Yung, both of Apple Valley, Minn.; two brothers, Art Gratias, of Mason City; and Paul Gratias, of Osage; three sisters, Helen Quandahl, of Mason City; Lorraine Sieman, of Dysart, Iowa; and Ethel Taylor, of Mason City; as well as other relatives and friends.

Besides his wife Ella, he was also preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Gerald Ralph Gratias, and Ralph Gratias Jr.; one brother, Walter Gratias; and one sister, Dorothy Gratias.