Ralph Whiteford

RALPH BERNARD WHITEFORD Cedar Rapids Ralph Bernard Whiteford, 89, of Hastings, Minn., formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away surrounded by his family on Nov. 24, 2015. Memorial services will be held at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids on a date to be announced. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; children, Cynthia Whiteford (David Nelson), Constance Whiteford and Candace Whiteford (John Oscar); sister, Geraldine Horne; grandchildren, Dustin and Derek; and good friend, David Brenner. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cristin Whiteford Voss; and sister, Patricia Whiteford. Ralph was born Jan. 14, 1926, in Minneapolis. He graduated from Marion (Iowa) High School and led a local dance band. He later served as a motor machinist's mate on a minesweeper in the Pacific Ocean. He married Ruth Elaine England and earned a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa. He worked in the gas and oil industry as a territory manager and retired from Gulf Oil Co. in 1981. He later worked at Von Maur department store for 17 years. Subsequently, he and Ruth moved to Hastings, Minn. He loved spending time with his family and was loved by all. Please send memorials to American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice. The Whiteford family thanks St. Paul United Hospital staff for the compassionate and excellent care provided to Ralph.