Ralph Fredrich Whitehorn, 77, of American Falls, ID, passed away from cancer at the Power County Nursing Home on Sunday, Jan 17, 2016.
Ralph was born May 26, 1938 to Francis Glen Whitehorn and Laura Marian (Bergman) Whitehorn in Yankton, SD. He grew up on the family farm east of Hartington, NB, with his brothers and sisters. It was there that he began to develop his skills as a mechanic and also his love and compassion for animals. He graduated from Hartington High School in 1956.
Ralph married Shirley Caster on June 21, 1958 and they had five children together: Ryan, twins Sharon and Sheryl, Tammra, and Laurie. They later divorced.
On Jan. 28, 1971, Ralph married Judy Ann Felts, daughter of Harry and Mable Weaver of Aberdeen, ID. Judy passed away on Jan. 10, 1994 from a lung condition at age 51.
After Judy’s death, Ralph met Alice Cox and they began a companionship. His daily visits to Edgewood Assisted Living where Alice has been a resident the last few years shows an unsurpassed devotion, and of course he always remembered the resident puppy dog, Mattie with a daily treat.
Some of Ralphs’ life work over the years included farming, working for Omaha Public Power, Iowa Beef Packing and Sioux City Motor Express trucking, and later Kent Brothers in American Falls. He was an accomplished truck driver and diesel mechanic. He was a devoted volunteer at the Power County Senior Center. He received “Volunteer of the Year” in 2014. Ralph also had a love for photography that he shared with his daughter, Tammra, and sister, Betty.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Lawrence Whitehorn; sister, Helen Winters; and his second wife, Judy. Ralph is survived by: brothers, Leo (Carol) and Vince (Cindy) Whitehorn; sisters, Mary Myers and Betty Hoile Gubbels; son, Ryan (Diana) Whitehorn; daughters, Sheryl Wolf (Randy), Sharon Kirlin (Tim), Tammra Hense (Richard), and Laurie Mendoza; and three grandchildren, (Sharon’s) Alex and Baily Winbolt, and Oscar Mendoza.
Ralph was also survived by Alice’s family, Norene Wynn and Connie Funk (Alan), Polly Shaw (Laddie), and their children and grandchildren, who will truly miss Ralph, who brightened and blessed all their lives.
A celebration of life will be held in Ralph’s honor at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, at Davis-Rose Chapel, 170 Idaho Street in American Falls with a luncheon following at the Power County Senior Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Power County Senior Citizens in Ralph’s memory. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared at www.davisrosemortuary.com.
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