Ralph A. Sharf
October 15, 1916 — October 9, 2002
Ralph A. Sharf, 85, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Delhi, died Wednesday, October 9, 2002, in ManorCare, Cedar Rapids, following a long illness. Services: 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 14, 2002, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. John Albertson. Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2002, at the funeral home. Military rites by VFW Post # 788.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ann; a daughter, Kathy (Brent) Rickertsen of Cedar Rapids; a son, Ronald (Dee) Sharf of Avon, Illinois; four grandchildren, Angela Roper of Cedar Rapids, Ben Sharf of San Diego, California, Douglas (Kari) Hanke of Portland, Oregon and Dennis (Michelle) Hanke of Scottsdale, Arizona; four great-grandchildren, Evan Roper, Jace Roper, Malan Sharf and Dylan Elliott; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Daisy Turkal.
Ralph was born October 15, 1916, the son of Malan and Bertha (Altman) Sharf, in Solon, Iowa. On June 26, 1940, he was united in marriage to Ann Lnenicka in Bertram, Iowa. Ralph served in the United States Army during World War II. He worked for Newports Greenhouse, LinkBelt Speeder and was co-owner of Cedar Rapids Drainage Co. In 1948, he started Ralph Sharf Excavating Co. and did excavating business for several in the Cedar Rapids area, which included Square D, General Mills, Wilson?s Packing Plant, Collins Radio, the Third Avenue Parking Ramp and several schools. Retiring in 1970, Ralph and Ann moved to Lake Delhi, where he took up the hobby of taxidermy and has mounted fish, animals and birds in several states. He was a former member of Rapid Shooters Gun Club, Delaware Fish & Game Club of Manchester, and National Taxidermy Association. Ralph was a life member of the American Legion Post 160, where he served as Past Commander, Past Vice Commander of the Fourth District of Iowa, and also a member of VFW Post 788 of Cedar Rapids.
Ralph and Ann spent the winters in Ft. Myers Beach and Tavernier, Florida, where he loved to go fishing in the ocean. They moved back to Cedar Rapids in 1999 when Ralph became ill. He was always eager to help the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed growing apples and grapes, making wine, camping, hunting and photography.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ann; a daughter, Kathy (Brent) Rickertsen of Cedar Rapids; a son, Ronald (Dee) Sharf of Avon, Illinois; four grandchildren, Angela Roper of Cedar Rapids, Ben Sharf of San Diego, California, Douglas (Kari) Hanke of Portland, Oregon and Dennis (Michelle) Hanke of Scottsdale, Arizona; four great-grandchildren, Evan Roper, Jace Roper, Malan Sharf and Dylan Elliott; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Daisy Turkal.
Ralph was born October 15, 1916, the son of Malan and Bertha (Altman) Sharf, in Solon, Iowa. On June 26, 1940, he was united in marriage to Ann Lnenicka in Bertram, Iowa. Ralph served in the United States Army during World War II. He worked for Newports Greenhouse, LinkBelt Speeder and was co-owner of Cedar Rapids Drainage Co. In 1948, he started Ralph Sharf Excavating Co. and did excavating business for several in the Cedar Rapids area, which included Square D, General Mills, Wilson?s Packing Plant, Collins Radio, the Third Avenue Parking Ramp and several schools. Retiring in 1970, Ralph and Ann moved to Lake Delhi, where he took up the hobby of taxidermy and has mounted fish, animals and birds in several states. He was a former member of Rapid Shooters Gun Club, Delaware Fish & Game Club of Manchester, and National Taxidermy Association. Ralph was a life member of the American Legion Post 160, where he served as Past Commander, Past Vice Commander of the Fourth District of Iowa, and also a member of VFW Post 788 of Cedar Rapids.
Ralph and Ann spent the winters in Ft. Myers Beach and Tavernier, Florida, where he loved to go fishing in the ocean. They moved back to Cedar Rapids in 1999 when Ralph became ill. He was always eager to help the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed growing apples and grapes, making wine, camping, hunting and photography.
He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed.
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