Ralph Kahl

Rock Rapids, IA        Ralph Kahl, age 87 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, December 23, 2016, at Premier Estates in Rock Rapids, IA.              Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 28th at the Christian Church (Disciples) with Rev. Carolyn Salberg, officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids, IA.        Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.         Ralph Rinald Kahl was born April 1, 1929 in Alvord, IA the son of Willie and Freida (Schmahl) Kahl.  He attended school in Alvord and Rock Rapids.  Upon completion of his education in 1948, Ralph began farming.  He joined the Navy and was honorably discharged.  On December 1, 1957, he was united in marriage to Annabelle Hagedon in the United Methodist Church at Rock Rapids, IA.  He continued to farm for many years.  Ralph also worked as an electrician for Kern’s Electric and later he and his son, Daniel, went into business together and formed a company, Ralph and Dan’s Electric.  After his retirement, Ralph continued to work as a janitor for the Rock Rapids Library, Methodist Church and the Christian Church Disciples.  In 2014, Ralph’s health declined and he moved to the Premier Estates Assisted Living.  His love of farming never ceased.  He was able to continue to farm with his son and he was never as happy as when he was in a tractor or the combine.  Ralph passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 23, 2016 at Premier Estates.      Left to cherish his memory are his children, Daniel and his wife, Lori Sue of Rock Rapids, IA; Lori Borman and her husband, Keith of Rock Rapids, IA; and his grandchildren, Nicholas Zimbelman of Rock Rapids, IA; Isaac Zimbelman (Dustie Englert) of Kennewick, WA; great grandsons, River and Dakota Zimbelman also of Kennewick, WA; and sister, Elodis (Gus) Kopsas of Arnold’s Park, IA.      He was preceded in death by his wife, Annabelle; his parents, Willie and Freida; brother, Phillip; an infant brother, Warner.