Burge, Ralph Whitman

Ralph Whitman Burge, 88 of the Olin Mechanicsville area, formerly of Lisbon, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013. Ralph's funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. Ralph's visitation will be from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lisbon Cemetery.

Surviving Ralph is his wife, Helen; daughter, Bonnie (Ron) Cook of Mechanicsville; granddaughter, Kellie (Jason) Arduser, Monticello; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kayla Arduser, both of Monticello; and nephews, Joe Simon of West Des Moines and Jim Minor of Martelle.

Preceding Ralph in death were his parents; three sisters, Mabel, Hilda and Maxine and their husbands; and two nephews.

Ralph was born Dec. 17, 1924, in rural Linn County, near the Standing Rock School vicinity. His parents were Roy Elmer Burge and Clara Belle Whitman Burge. Ralph graduated from Lisbon High School in 1942. He married his wife of 63 years, Helen Bernet, on Feb. 18, 1950, in her parent's Mechanicsville home. After getting married, they farmed in Lisbon until moving to the Mechanicsville Olin area in 1958 where they farmed the rest of their life together.

Ralph served in the United States Army during World War II and recently was able to attend the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in honor of his service. Ralph was very proud of his time in the military and his service to a country that he loved.

Ralph was also a member of the National Tamworth Hog Association, in which he was actively involved in shows every year around the Midwest and gained some of his lifelong friends.

Ralph loved farming and all things John Deere and could be found tending to the land either in the fields or garden most of the year. His love for animals stretched from hogs, chickens, cattle, goats, sheep, to even a hairless cat and always a helpful loving dog. His dedication to his family, friends, neighbors and his appreciation for the little things in life and of the land are what he will be remembered for most, including his friendly smile and a handshake for everyone he met.

Ralph and his family would like to thank the numerous doctors, nurses, hospital staffs, nursing home staffs, ambulance crews and home health care personnel who have over the years helped Ralph fight many life threatening medical issues. Most recently the wonderful life saving and outside of the box thinking work that Dr. Amin, Dr. Stamou, Dr. Pascarella and Dr. Hoffman performed at the University of Iowa that gave us all another year together. It was all appreciated more than words could ever say.

A memorial fund has been established in Ralph's name.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 26, 2013.