MISHAK, Ralph 1928-2006

MISHAK

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 8/19/2006 at 10:01:27

Ralph “Putz” Nicholas Mishak, 77, of Manly died Saturday (Aug. 12, 2006) at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista, Iowa, with the Rev. Ray Atwood officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista with military honors conducted by members of the Alta Vista VFW Paul Johann Post No. 4069.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday with a public Scripture wake service at 6:30 p.m. at the Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to service time on Wednesday at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista.

Ralph “Putz” Nicholas Mishak was born on Dec. 6, 1928, in Alta Vista, Iowa, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Thul) Mishak. He graduated from St. Williams High School in the class of 1947. After completing his schooling, he started working for Otto Lentz Construction Co. in Alta Vista until his induction into the U.S. Army in 1950. He served in the Korean Conflict. He was also stationed in West Germany with an engineer battalion until his honorable discharge in 1953.

Ralph operated the Skelly Service station in Mason City from 1958 until 1959 and also worked for various jobs around the Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa, area. In 1970, he operated a campground resort at Noel, Mo., and in 1973, he sold the resort to his partner. Ralph traveled throughout the state of Iowa installing chalk and tack board in new schools.

In 1975 he moved to Lake Cornelia, Iowa. Then in 1997 he moved to Mason City and lived at The Meadows before moving to Three Links apartments, later to the Sunset View apartments in Manly, and lastly on Aug. 16, 2006, to Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Alta Vista, Iowa. “So long everybody” — “The Putz.”

He enjoyed collecting antique cars, driving his antique cars in parades, dancing, socializing with friends and singing, but his great love and enjoyment was being with family.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manly and a lifetime member of Alta Vista VFW Paul Johann Post No. 4069.

Left to cherish his memory are his nieces, Frances Eichenberger, Margie Maser, Louise (Harry) Rimrod, all of Charles City, and Karen (Dave) Newton of Davenport; great-nieces and great-nephews, Ronda and Rachel Eichenberger, Daniel (Chrisy) Rimrod, and Tonya (Daniel) Crisantos, all of Charles City, Michael (Jenny) Maser of Dubuque, Jason (Tina) Maser of Charles City, Dawn (Jose) Pizano of Austin, Minn., Michelle Newton of Durant, Ericka and Isaac Newton of Davenport, and Anthony Eichenberger of Charles City; dear friends, Carla Mosiman and Bob Kolbet of Mason City and their family; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Mark Mishak; a sister, Angela Hall; a nephew, Aloysius Eichenberger; and a special friend, Janet Mosiman.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, August 14, 2006