SOUDER, Ralph Davis 1915-2010

SOUDER, EYERLY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/16/2010 at 15:07:21

Ralph Davis Souder

(Died August 15, 2010)

Ralph Davis Souder, age 94, of Osage, died Sunday August 15, 2010, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 20, 2010, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, with Pastor Deborah Gage officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Floyd. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Ralph was born on December 30, 1915, in Rockwell City, Iowa, the son of George Starr and Cora (Davis) Souder. He attended Calhoun County rural schools and graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1934. Ralph attended Coyne Electronics School in Chicago and then returned home to farm. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Eyerly on November 16, 1941, in Winterset, Iowa. To this union was born two sons, Charles Eyerly and Edward Davis. They farmed at Rockwell City for two years and then moved to Floyd County, rural Rudd, where they farmed for almost 60 years. Ralph was a member of Osage United Church of Christ (Congregational), serving as a deacon, trustee and on other committees.

He was a 4-H leader, member of the Floyd County Conservation Board and was very dedicated to soil conservation for future generations. Ralph also served on the Rudd Elevator Board, Floyd County Fair Board, Farm Service Co-op Board, Production Credit Association of Mason City Board and the Central Livestock Association of St. Paul Board. Ralph was a life member of the Cedar Valley Engine Club. He was a member of the Floyd County, Iowa and National Cattlemen’s Association and was a true cattleman for over 60 years. In 1990, Ralph was named the Floyd County cattleman of the year.

Farm mechanics and electronics were very important to him and he patiently taught his sons the same. Ralph was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and promoted his family’s future education. Family fishing trips were a great and rewarding experience for Ralph.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Marjorie Souder of Osage; two sons, Charles (Dianne) Souder of Rudd; Edward Souder of Osage; five grandchildren: Stacy (Ben) Bolin, Linda (Todd) Davis, Charles (Tricia) Souder, Sarah (Andrew) Johnson and Mary Souder; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Walter and Frank; and a sister Grace.

[ Champion-Bucheit obituary -- http://www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com/ ]