Ralph H. Willert, 94, of 1820 230th St. Rockford, died Wednesday evening, March 16, 2011.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 19, 2011 at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Roseville, Iowa. Officiating will be the Monsignor Walter Brunkan. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 Friday at Fullerton Hage funeral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City, Iowa. A scripture service will be held at 4:00 with a rosary at 7:00. Interment will be in Roseville Cemetery. Condolences and messages may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com
Ralph Henry was born one of three sons to Henry Louis and Minnie Augusta (Brandenburg) Willert on June 20, 1916. Surrounded by his family, Ralph passed away at home on the family farm where he was born and raised. Ralph graduated from the Rockford High School in 1935. He continued on the farm working hard all of his life. He loved raising his Angus cattle and tending to the farmstead, always keeping it immaculate. He joined the membership of St. Mary’s Catholic church when he was united in marriage to Thelma C. Staudt on February 16, 1944 at St. Mary’s. He rarely if ever missed masses and continued that tradition almost to the time of his death. He also drove his car up until January of this year. Ralph honorably served his country for a short time until he received a medical discharge. Ralph received several awards for his work on the farm and with various farming groups. In 1986, Ralph received an award for being the first farmer in Floyd County to raise 200+ bushel corn. He was a member of the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and served on the Floyd County Board. Thelma and he very much enjoyed raising the family of two boys, and being with the six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In the early years he and Thelma would attend dances at the Moose and Elks Lodges in Charles City where they were members. On Sunday’s after church they looked forward to going to the old mall in Charles City where they could visit with family and friends. Ralph was a sports fan and enjoyed watching basketball and being a Vikings Fan.
His surviving family members include his two sons and wives David R. (Janice) and Dennis R. (Janet) Willert all of Rockford, six grandchildren Annette Willert, Wisconsin; Gina (Travis) Schumacher, New Hampton; Kristin (James) Whaley, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Rick, Cassandra and Derek Willert all of Rockford, four great grandchildren Alex and Rylee Schumacher, Hannah Johnson, and Lily Grace Whaley, and two nieces, Colleen (Joe) Hellige of California and Mary Pat (Ron) Dulle, of Colorado.
His wife who died June 19, 1996, parents and two brothers Arthur and Robert Willert preceded Ralph in death.
Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt Street, Charles City, IA. (641) 228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com
