Milligan, Ralph Floyd 1936-2010

MILLIGAN, FLOYD, GOSSMAN, BARKER, BAPPE, HOVDEN, STORTZ, MCCABE, KROSHUS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/4/2012 at 11:13:28

Ralph Milligan, age 74, of Decorah, IA, died Monday, February 22, 2010, at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, IA, after a battle with Supranuclear Palsy.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 27, 2010, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding.

Friends may call from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the church on Saturday morning.

Ralph Floyd Milligan was born on February 19, 1936, the son of Lee and Josephine (Floyd) Milligan in Sparta, Tennessee. Ralph graduated from White County High School in 1954. He served in the US Navy Reserves and then served in the US Navy, from 1955-59, out of Long Beach, California, on the Destroyer, USS O’Brien. Ralph married Wanda Gossman on May 29, 1960, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They lived in Tennessee, California and then moved to Iowa in 1969. Ralph went to work for Camcar in Decorah and worked there until 1996, when he retired as manager of the Plant. Ralph was instrumental in starting and setting up the Camcar Plant in Malaysia in 1995. Ralph and Wanda owned and operated the Crystal Inn in Burr Oak from 1974-76. They moved to Bluffton in the fall of 1980 and they operated the Bluffton Store and Campground from 1980-86. Ralph served on the North Winn School Board and was a longtime member of the Mabel Preston Golf Course. In 2008, Ralph and Wanda moved to Decorah. Ralph enjoyed playing golf, spending time with family and friends, hunting and fishing, telling jokes, playing cards, darts and pool. He also enjoyed traveling and spending the winters in Mission, TX.

Ralph’s survivors include his wife: Wanda, Decorah, IA. Three daughters: Sarita Milligan and Bob Barker, Decorah, IA; Tina Bappe (friend, Darryl Hanson), Decorah, IA; and Deneen (Troy) Hovden, Decorah, IA. One son: Tim (Dawn) Milligan, Decorah, IA. Seven grandchildren: Derrick Stortz, Teesha &Jarred Bappe, Cole & Marley Milligan, Teeya & Gavin Hovden. Son-in-law: Jim Bappe, Decorah, IA. Four sisters-in-law: Mildred Milligan, Sparta, TN; Opal Gossman, Preston, MN; Jean (Jim) McCabe, Wyoming; and Margo (Bruce) Kroshus, Oronoco, MN. Six brothers-in-law: Wayne Gossman, Decorah, IA; Lloyd (Colleen) Gossman, Burr Oak, IA; Merlyn (Vernelle) Gossman, Decorah, IA; Harold (Marcie) Gossman, Hutchinson, KS; Carroll (Sharon) Gossman, Canton, MN; and Roman (Mercedes) Gossman, Rose Creek, MN, along with many other nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents: Lee and Josephine Milligan. Two brothers: Kenneth Milligan in 2009 and Robert still born in 1940. One brother-in-law: Howard Gossman in 2000. One sister-in-law: Vivienne Gossman in 2009, along with many other loved ones.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Benedict’s Catholic cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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