Ralph Clifton Gilbert (1909-1999)

GILBERT, AXDAHL, MARTIN, MODING

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 7/23/2021 at 16:35:49

Ralph Clifton Gilbert

Services were held for Ralph Clifton Gilbert on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at the United Methodist Church in Peterson with Rev. Michael Tolles officiating. Interment was at Waterman cemetery in Sutherland with Warner Funeral Home of Peterson in charge of arrangements.

Ralph Clifton Gilbert, the son of Amy and Lett Gilbert, was born February 22, 1909 in rural O'Brien County, Iowa. He attended grade school in rural Cherokee County, Sutherland, Alta, and in Grant Township in O'Brien County. After graduating from Sutherland High School in 1927, he attended one year of college at John Fletcher College near Oskaloosa, Iowa.

On March 11, 935, Ralph married Amelia Axdahl, the daughter of Andrew and Christina Axdahl. They farmed the E.C. Bertram farm north of Peterson for 13 years, in addition to raising turkeys and feeding lamps and cattle. In 1943, they were able to buy the Charles Tigges farm three miles west of Peterson, and in 1973, they purchased the McMillan ranch where they raised cattle. Ralph also enjoyed doing commission cattle buying.

Ralph was a long0tine member of the United Methodist chrurch in Peterson. He also served on many boards: the firs AAA Farm Program, the Peterson Co-Op Elevator, the Peterson School, the United Methodist church, the Iowa Hereford Association, the O'Brien County Extension council, and was clerk of Waterman Township. In his retirement years, he took up woodworking, using oak, Cedar and walnut from his farm and ranch.

Mr. Gilbert passed away at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Cherokee, Iowa, on May 22, 1999 at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Paul Gilbert.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Amelia, of Peterson, one son, Dean Gilbert of Globe, Arizona; one daughter, Dr. Beth Gilbert, and her husband, Paul Martin, of Superior, Wisconsin; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Ellis Gilbert of Phoenix, Arizona; one sister, Nina Moding of Peterson; other relatives and friends.

Paullina (iowa) Times, 27 May 1999, p3