Ralph Barger

RALPH BARGER

Morley

Ralph S. Barger, 88, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids from a massive heart attack. He was surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at

Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, where military honors will be accorded at the conclusion of the service. Friends may call from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at the funeral home. The Rev. Barb Krueger will officiate at the services. Interment will be in the Green Center Cemetery.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Green Center Cemetery or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine; his sister, Wanda Bartilson; two sons, Terry (Linda) of Cedar Rapids and Curt (Naomi) of Mukilteo, Wash.; six grandchildren, Ben, Tara, Josh, Alicia, Zeke and Molly; four great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Bob (Sherri) Wageman of Anamosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ralph Stuart Barger was born April 1, 1927, in Farley, Iowa, to Frank and Amber Stuart Barger. He graduated from Farley High School, joined the U.S. Army Air Corps for four years and then worked at the Iowa Men's Reformatory. Ralph married Lorraine Bickerstaff on Oct. 21, 1950, in Galena, Ill.

Ralph and Lorraine purchased her family's grocery store in Morley. They were the third generation to own the business and operated the store for 20 years.

In 1970, Ralph changed careers and opened Barger Insurance Agency in Morley. He operated the business until 1997, when he retired. Ralph was a past president of Castle Grove Mutual Insurance.

Ralph was very active in his community. He was a member of Morley United Methodist Church and served on the Pastors Parish Committee from 1976 until 2012. He volunteered with the Morley Fire Department for 43 years, served on the City Council from 1952 until 1960 and from 1968 until 1975, was mayor of Morley from 1960 until 1968 and treasurer from 1975 until the present. He also was an active member of the Morley Community Club.

Ralph was a 50-year member of the Anamosa American Legion, a 58-year member of the Knights of Pythias and a past Grand Chancellor of the Iowan Pythian Order. He also served as associate supreme tribune of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias. He had also served on the Anamosa school board and was a member of the Anamosa Camera Club.

Ralph played Santa Claus for 18 years, delighting many children in the Morley/Anamosa area. He enjoyed traveling and photography. Spending time with family brought him the greatest joy in his life.