Ralph Peter Gehlsen

Ralph Peter, son of Peter Dietrich and Pauline Laura (Jahn) Gehlsen, was born April 30, 1931, on a farm near Westside in Crawford County, Iowa. He attended Westside schools and graduated from Westside High School. After his schooling he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea, attaining the rank of Sargent. After his honorable discharge in 1955 Ralph returned to the area and farmed the land for 50 plus years. He was a longtime friend of the United Church of Westside. Ralph was a member of the American Legion Post 196 in Westside, a 50-plus year member of Farm Bureau, a Hayes Township Supervisor and a 30 year member of Hayes Township Scheutzen Verein. In his spare time he enjoyed gun collecting and fishing. In early 2012 Ralph's health began to deteriorate and he entered the Manning Plaza Nursing Home. He died there on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the age of 81 years, 8 months and 22 days. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Florence and husband Hugo Sander; Melvina and husband Edward Meyer; brothers: Ray Gehlsen and wife Lorraine; Leonard Gehlsen; Louie Gehlsen ; brothers in law Henry Stoffers; Lyle Joens; and Larry Hanson. Ralph is survived by his sisters: Blondina Stoffers of Carroll; Judy Joens of Manning; Sandra Hansen of Manilla; brother Reynold Gehlsen and wife Rose Ann of Denison; sister in law LaVonne Gehlsen of Manning; 27 nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Officiating PASTOR RICHARD FRANCIS UNITED CHURCH OF WESTSIDE Music "BACHELOR FARMER" "THE EVENING TRAIN" BRIAN JOENS, VOCALS AND GUITAR CONNIE SIEPKER, ORGANIST Casket Bearers TROY GEHLSEN RICHARD STOFFERS MICHAEL HAGGE SCOTT STOELK JOHN WILLISON DON OESER KEVIN RICKE Honorary Casket Bearers WESLEY STOELK RICHARD RICKE EDMUND ERPS JOHN OESER DUANE VETTER GENE THIEDEMAN GERALD THIEDEMAN Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION ALFRED ROSSMAN POST 196 WESTSIDE, IOWA