Douglas Ralston

DOUGLAS LEE RALSTON

Springville

Douglas Lee Ralston, 73, passed away unexpectedly on March 17, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following surgery. The family will greet friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 21, at Springville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Keizer officiating. Friends also may greet the family one hour before services at the church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. at Jordan's Grove Cemetery, rural Central City. Military honors provided by Springville American Legion Post 331.

Doug was born Oct. 17, 1942, in Anamosa to Ralph and Grace Ralston. He attended country school in Viola and graduated from Anamosa High School in 1961. From 1961 to 1964, Doug served in the U.S. Army, where he served as a guard on the Berlin Wall. Doug and Mareta "Butch," his wife of nearly 52 years, were married in Springville on July 12, 1964.

Doug and Butch had three children: sons, Matthew and Lance, and daughter, Lisa (Brett Stephenson). Matthew and Lance were there to welcome their Dad into heaven. Doug also was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Ralph and Ann Pederson; and brothers, John and Ralph Jr.

Doug took immense pride in his three grandchildren, Jack, Andy and Ellie Stephenson.

Doug is survived by his aunt, Neoma Robertson; four sisters, Ruth, Sandra, Zella and Barbara; and two brothers, Richard and Jeff; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Doug spent the majority of his career in the telephone business, working for many years as a service technician at Teleconnect. After retirement, he began driving bus for the Mount Vernon School District, which he loved.

Doug was a longtime member of Springville United Methodist Church and a member of the local American Legion Post. Doug was an eternal Baltimore Ravens fan, Springville Orioles fan, an avid fisherman, and he and Butch enjoyed many years at their cabin in Waupeton on the Mississippi River.

Doug lived life looking through the windshield, never the rearview mirror, and he was a fiercely loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Doug was truly selfless; never too busy or put upon to help a person in need – no questions asked – and never seeking anything in return. Making friends wherever he went, no one was a stranger to Doug for long. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Please share a memory of Doug at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.