Ralph B. Roelfs

Ashton, IA Ralph B. Roelfs, 96 of Sheldon, IA, formerly of Ashton, IA, died Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 20th at Zoar Presbyterian Church in George, IA, with Rev. Dale Lint officiating. Burial will follow at Gilman Township Cemetery in Ashton, IA. Visitation will be Monday, May 19th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Ashton. Ralph Benjamin Roelfs was born April 5, 1918 on a farm two miles south of Ashton, Iowa, the son of George and Catherine (Johnson) Roelfs. At age three Ralphs father died. He and his family moved to Grandma Johnsons farm to live. In March of 1923 they moved to a farm nearby and Ralph attended the Goewey #4 School through 7th grade. He continued his education at Ashton Public School and graduated in 1935. In 1937 Ralph began to farm near Ashton. On November 23, 1944 he was united in marriage to Jeanette Risius at Trinity Reformed Parsonage in Sibley, IA. The newlyweds lived on the family farm, where they continued farming and raised their three daughters. In 1983 Ralph and Jeanette retired and moved to Sheldon. They enjoyed 20 plus winters together in Mission, TX. In April of 2006 they moved to Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, IA. On April 9, 2006 Ralphs wife of 61 years died. Ralph remained living at Fieldcrest the remainder of his life. He was a long time member of Ashton Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon, Elder and taught Sunday School for 40 plus years. After the church closed he became a member of Zoar Presbyterian Church of rural George. In his youth Ralph was involved with Christian Endeavor, where he served as President at the district level and Vice President at the state level. He also served on the Osceola County ASC, Goewey Township Committee as Secretary, and Sheldon Community School Board for 12 years, two of which he served as President. He was a charter member of Ashton 100 Club and Sheldon Senior Citizen Club. Ralph was often called on to provide the message in church and Chapel at Fieldcrest, which he was always up to the task. He is survived by three daughters, Janice (Stan) TenKley of Sheldon, IA, Sandra (Ken) Krieg of Kingsley, IA and Gail (Dave) Morrison of Palm Bay, FL; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Trena DeVries of Sibley, IA and Henrietta Aielts and husband Ailt of Worthington, MN; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Catherine Roelfs; loving wife, Jeanette Roelfs; a sister, Lena (Lawrence) Osgood; and his mentor, Ralph Johnson.