Larry passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday May 9 at his daughters in Falls City, NE. He was born in Carthage, MO on the family farm to Philip and Bessie Ralston. He had two brothers John and Robert and a sister Doris.
He graduated from Carthage High School in 1942. After 2 years working on the family farm he left to serve in the United States Army during WWII. He served in Germany with the 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. He received 2 bronze stars; WWII Victory medal and a Good Conduct medal. He had a book authored by Milt Toratti retired Army Veteran about his military life and ancestry. The book was presented to him on his 101st birthday. He was interviewed on television about his service numerous times. He considered serving a privilege and was an extremely proud Veteran.
After the war he returned to the farm in Carthage and met his first wife Dorothy Wommack. They were married in 1947 and had three daughters; Nancy, Patty and Judy. In 1948 he joined the Singer Sewing Machine Co as a sales rep. He worked his way up to District Manager in a short period of time and was responsible for sales, service and the employees in 4 different states. He was with the company for over 40 years. After retiring from Singer he opened his own store in Grand Island NE. He later moved to St Joseph MO where he met his 2nd wife Karen Catron. They were married in 1976. Karen had 4 children; Joni, Mark, Gayla and Roger.
Larry was a member of the Ashland United Methodist Church. He was part of the quilting class at the Church; repairing the sewing machines and sewing the material together when it was straight stitching. He was a lifetime member of the VFW; the American Legion and the Elks Lodge.
He loved to bowl and due to his competitiveness, he couldn’t stop until he hit a 300! He traveled extensively to bowl in tournaments including overseas.
Larry was what the Bible calls a peacemaker. He wanted everyone to get along and he tried to make everyone he met smile. He loved talking to people and getting to know the real person.
We want to extend a big thank you to Freudenthal, Mosaic Hospice and St Croix Hospice for the above and beyond care that they gave dad. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Last but not least a huge thank you to Buckingham Senior Living and the residents there. He lived there for over 7 years prior to going to Falls City. He considered that his home and the residents were his family. Everyone was always friendly and welcoming. He absolutely loved living there.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John and Robert; Doris Knell his sister; his wife; daughters Nancy Logan and Patty Wilson; stepchildren, Joni Allison and Mark Trapp and 2 great grandchildren.
Survivors include his daughter, Judy Hansen, Falls City NE; stepchildren, Roger Ralston (Teresa), Grand Island NE and Gayla Trapp, St Joseph MO; 11 grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-great-grandchild; niece Terri (Knell) Rushing and nephew Kevin Knell.
Farewell Services & Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Friday, May 22, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Inurnment Wings of Honor Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
