Karlan, Ralph C.

Ralph C. Karlan, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, where there also will be military rites. The Rev. Phil Thompson will officiate. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where there will be a vigil service at 4 p.m.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen; one daughter Juanita (Lynn) Richman of Iowa City; four sons, Charles (Nadine) of Amana, Kevin (Diane) of Ely, Steven (Jodi) of Tucson, Ariz., , and Dennis (Julie) of Cedar Rapids; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Ralph was born Oct. 10, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Ralph and Juanita (Beatty) Karlan. He graduated from Franklin High School and later from Coe College. He married Mary Ellen Reindl on Oct. 16, 1948, in Manly. Ralph worked in quality control at Rockwell and retired from there in 1991 after 38 years of service.

He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and proudly served in the Air Force. He enjoyed yard work, working with stain glass, was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the time he spent with his beloved family and friends.

Memorial donations may be given to Hospice of Mercy or St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Please leave a message or tribute to Ralph's family on the Web page,  under Obituaries.

Published Dec. 29, 2011, in The Gazette