RALSTON, Leonard R. 1929-2007

RALSTON, BOCKES, DUDDEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/12/2015 at 16:40:09

Leonard R. Ralston, 77, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Wednesday, February 28, 2007, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. Visitation will be Saturday, March 3, 2007, from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M., Sunday, March 4, 2007, at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center, Iowa, with Pastor Dan Graham officiating. Cremation will follow the funeral service. A memorial fund has been established.

Leonard Ray Ralston was born July 13, 1929, in Grundy Center, Iowa, the son of Elon and Alberta (Bockes) Ralston. Leonard received his education in Grundy Center, graduating from Grundy Center High School in 1947. During his high school years, Leonard worked at the Grundy Bakery and the Grundy Creamery. On September 9, 1951, Leonard was united in marriage to Donna Jean Dudden in Grundy Center. From January 6, 1951 to January 5, 1955, they lived at the Fort Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, while Leonard served his country during the Korean War. In 1955, they moved back to Grundy Center, Iowa, to make their home. Leonard owned and operated the Dudden Clothing Store in Grundy Center until his retirement in 1991. Since that time, he has been assisting the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center-which also includes the towns of Wellsburg, Eldora, Dike and Reinbeck-a role for which he was very proud. Leonard was an integral member of the Grundy Center community. He was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, also serving in the Mariners Group, and as an elder, deacon and trustee. He had been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Grundy Center AMVETS Post #17, Rotary Club, Development Corporation and the Town and Country Golf Club., and served as a director of the Farmers' Savings Bank. He and his wife, Donna, were awarded a Grundy Center Boosters Award. His passions were his family, reading, playing golf and doing volunteer work at the golf course and for anyone else who asked.

Leonard is survived by his wife Donna Ralston of Grundy Center, Iowa; his daughter Debra Jean Ralston of Omaha, Nebraska; his son Timothy Elon Ralston and his wife Coleen of Grundy Center, Iowa; son David Allen Ralston and his wife Janet of Scottsdale, Arizona; daughter Patricia Rae Dean and her husband Steve of Omaha, Nebraska; six grandchildren Chad Ralston and his wife Jennifer; T.J. Ralston and his fiancée Lacy Miles; Eric and Emily Ralston; and Nick and Emily Dean; and three great-grandchildren Peyton, Isaac and Spencer Ralston; four sisters Darleen Haren and her husband Carroll of Grundy Center, Iowa; Margie Reynolds of Grundy Center, Iowa; Cheryl Berger of Vinton, Iowa; Sue Cosford of Ontario, Canada; and one brother Marvin Ralston and his wife Rosie of Grundy Center, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents Elon and Alberta Ralston; one infant brother Myrle Ralston; and four brothers-in-law Dick Shaw, Barry Cosford, Kay Reynolds, and Bob Berger.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)