Adolph, Ralph Veneklasen

Ralph Veneklasen Adolph, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at The Woodlands at The Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Heather Hayes. Private family burial: Oak Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Stewart Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth; sons, Tom Adolph, Cedar Rapids, and Bob Adolph, Byron, Ill.; a daughter, Peggy (Ross) MacLane, Papillion, Neb.; a brother, Fred (Diane) Adolph Jr., Port Huron, Mich.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Ralph was born on Nov. 21, 1929, in Algonac, Mich., the son of Fred and Nellie (Veneklasen) Adolph. He married Ruth Ann Snape on June 25, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Mich. Ralph was a founding member of The Green Thumb Nursery and owner of 4 Season's Hardware, Garden Center, & Florist on Mount Vernon Road.

Ralph was a past member of the Cedar Rapids Nurseryman and Iowa Nurseryman's Association and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids since 1956 where he served in roles as a session, deacon, trustee and with the Sunday Evening Meal Program.

Ralph was a member of the Golden K's, a lifelong member of the Kiwanis, volunteered at the Community Health Free Clinic and Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Ralph loved and saw the good in everything he encountered, put others above himself and will always be remembered for the beauty he brought through his plants, caring for others and devotion to God and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Published Aug. 18, 2013 in The Gazette