Ralph Jennings

RALPH REED JENNINGS

Hanlontown

Ralph Reed Jennings, 89, of Hanlontown, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Grace Lutheran Church, 302 E. Fourth St., Hanlontown, with Pastor Linda Prestholt-Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Brush Point Cemetery in Hanlontown.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Grace Lutheran Church, the University of Iowa Foundation Fund or to Hospice of North Iowa.

Ralph was born Aug. 5, 1927, in Rock Island, Ill., the son of Raymond and Lena (Kruse) Jennings. He married Suzanne Igo in 1948 in Hanlontown. A graduate of Hanlontown High School, class of 1944, Ralph farmed until 1955, when he bought Jennings Produce, which he owned and operated until 1968. In 1971, he bought Forest City Cow Palace with his brother, Roger, and operated it until he retired in 1989.

Ralph was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown, the Hawkeye I-Club and a charter member of the Community Club of Hanlontown. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, woodworking, going to coffee with friends and traveling. He had a great passion for the Iowa Hawkeyes and an even greater passion for his family and friends.

Ralph is survived by his son, Mark (Vicki) Jennings of Iowa City; two grandchildren, Aaron (partner Micah Blakely) Jennings of Iowa City and Neil (Aimee) Jennings of Iowa City; a brother, Roger (Marian) Jennings of Hanlontown; a sister-in-law, Lois Jennings of Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Raymond.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. Fourth St., Clear Lake; (641) 357-2193; www.ColonialChapels.com.