Ralph Sandersfeld, 01 June 1925 - 28 Apr. 2006

SANDERSFELD, MIELKE, WYANT, KOCH, WAGNER, JACOBS

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 5/1/2006 at 08:32:15

Ralph F. "Sandy" Sandersfeld, 80, died Friday, April 28, 2006, in his home following a brief illness. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, by the Rev. Douglas Morton. Burial: Marengo Cemetery, with military honors. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Donna Koch and husband Ed of Boise, Idaho; a son, Tom R. Sandersfeld and wife Sheryl of Marengo; and three grandchildren, Dennis Koch and Kathleen Koch, both of Boise, Idaho., and Susan Turnbull of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Raymond; and two sisters, Agnes Wagner and Regina Jacobs.

Ralph Frederick Sandersfeld was born June 1, 1925, in rural South Amana, the son of Otto A. and Mathilda E. Mielke Sandersfeld. He received his education in the Trinity Lutheran School and Hilton High School in Conroy, graduating in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a combat engineer and worked with Army Intelligence, stationed at Vint Hill Farms, Va.

Ralph married Barbara Wyant on Jan. 29, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Conroy. He worked for Eastern Iowa Artificial Cattle Breeders Association for three years while living in Readlyn. He had a cow/calf herd and feeder cattle farming operation in Hilton Township.

Ralph worked as a Federal Crop Insurance agent/adjuster. He also established Sandersfeld Iowa Realty and Sandersfeld Insurance Agency in 1970 and restored/remodeled many homes and commercial buildings in Marengo and Iowa County.

Ralph was a 50-plus year member of Marengo American Legion Post No. 76. He was an advocate for wildlife habitat and conservation. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and other outdoor activities. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, 30 April 2006, Edition: F, Page: 5B, Record Number: 2175289