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French, Ralph Lee
Ralph Lee French, 84, of 5901 Sharon Lane NW, died Sunday, March 11, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Teahen Funeral Home, by Pastor Jeff Nullmeyer of Calvary Chapel in Iowa City and military services by American Legion Post #727. Friends may visit Wednesday at the funeral home after 9 a.m.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Orvie; two sons, David (Martha Rhodes) of Cedar Rapids, and Dan of Delhi; a daughter, Beth (David) Bain of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Ryan and Austin Bain, and Lane and Abby French; two sisters, Clara Heck of Postville, and Arlene (Don) Lau of Traer; two brothers, Dean (Karen) of Dunkerton, and Kenneth (Gerry) of Elkader; and his two cats, Callie and Jacob.
Ralph was preceded in death by his son, Steven; and two brothers, Floyd and Dale.
Ralph was born August 5, 1927 in Postville, the son of Roy Lee and Florence Baldwin French. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a graduate of Upper Iowa University. He married Orvelda “Orvie” Mae Dahling on November 26, 1952, in Postville. He retired as an accountant in 1986 after 32 years with Collins and then worked for over 30 years at the U.S. Cellular Center.
Ralph loved spending his time woodworking and watching for hours the squirrels and birds who ate from his feeders.
Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or the Cedar Valley Humane Society.
Online condolences may be left for the family at
Published March 13, 2012 in The Gazette
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