Niemeier, Ralph 'Zeke'

Ralph “Zeke” Niemeier, 76, of Walker, died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Winns Alley in Walker. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; four children, William “Bill” (Bonnie) Niemeier of Walker, Diana Niemeier of Cedar Rapids, Mary Jo (Marty) Jones of Lee's Summit, Mo. and Jim Niemeier of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Jessica, Mikala, Destinee and Caleb; and his siblings, Marilyn Miell of Marion, Robert Niemeier of Rowley and Marguerite Andrews of Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two granddaughters, Heather Lee and Melinda Paige.

Ralph was born July 5, 1937, the son of Henry and Mary (Haas) Niemeier in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Walker High School. On May 30, 1960, Ralph married Ruth Carroll in Walker. He served with the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962. Ralph worked as an extraction plant operator at Cargill in Cedar Rapids for 45 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, floating the river and playing cards. Ralph loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and his many Labrador retrievers.

Memorials may be directed to the family in Ralph's memory and will be used to help cancer patients.

A special thanks to Dr. Cowden and Katie, and to Dr. Warren and his loving staff.

Please sign the online guest book for Ralph at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 10, 2013.