Obituary of Ralph John Wichmann

    Ralph John Wichmann, son of Christian and Esther (Wille) Wichmann, was born on January 6, 1928 on a farm near May City, Iowa. One of three children, Ralph grew up in the May City area, helping his father with the usual chores and farming responsibilities associated with crop and livestock production. He received his education at the local country school and attended high school in Hartley, Iowa.

    On June 26, 1949, Ralph was united in marriage to Lois Luretha Fliss at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. To this union were born three daughters: Cathy, Christine, and Melinda. Following their marriage, they farmed together for many years near May City, Iowa, and raised their family there. Ralph also worked for Sunrise Farms for ten years before he retired. He never met a stranger and greatly enjoyed the time he spent drinking coffee, eating donuts, and joining in the conversation at Curt’s Repair in May City.

    Ralph was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City where he held several different offices, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees. He gave back to his community as part of the May City Volunteer Fire Department, and a 911 board member. Farming was his life, and he weathered, and took pleasure in, all the seasons, trials and rewards that come from stewarding the land.

    On Friday, May 25, 2018, Ralph passed from this life at the age of 90 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christian and Esther Wichmann.

    He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois, of Hartley, Iowa; two daughters, their husbands and families: Chris (John) Kinley of Ames, Iowa, and Melinda (Steve) Meyer of Walker, Iowa; four grandchildren: David and Jeff Kinley, Michelle (Meyer) Schlicht, and Toby Meyer; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth McCarty of Walla Walla, Washington; his brother, Jim Wichmann of Lexington, Massachusetts; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ralph’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the great staff at Community Memorial Health Center for their caring approach and wonderful patience while working daily to meet Ralph’s needs these past seven months.

Memorial gifts given in Ralph’s name may be directed to
Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, IA, or to Camp Okoboji LC-MS, Milford, IA

Celebration of Life

Ralph John Wichmann

Born ~ January 6, 1928

Died ~ May 25, 2018

Age ~ 90 years   4 months   19 days

Funeral Service

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

10:00 a.m.

St. John's Lutheran Church

May City, Iowa

Officiating ~ Pastor Richard Milbrandt

Organist ~ Luella Heilman

Congregational Singing

Processional ~ “Amazing Grace”

                       “How Great Thou Art”

Recessional ~ “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

Pallbearers

Tom McCarty    John Wichmann    Jeff Kinley

David Kinley    Curt Van Engen    Steve Thorne

Phil Langone    Jeff Wichmann 

Ushers

Don Rasmussen  ~  Bob Rusche

Burial

Harrison Township Cemetery

May City, Iowa