Ralph Boettner, the son of John F. and Mary Elmira (Marsh) Boettner was born September 18, 1924 in the Lone Cedar community north of Rock Port Missouri. He was raised and worked on the Boettner family farm. Ralph attended Lone Cedar School in his youth and graduated from Rock Port High School in 1943.

On May 17, 1944 Ralph enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II in Germany. He completed his basic training in field artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Ralph received his honorable discharge on June 12, 1946 and returned to Rock Port. Following the war, he got his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying for over 50 years. He attended fly-ins, flight breakfasts, and enjoyed taking people for rides in his plane.

On January 16, 1955, Ralph was united in marriage to Evelyn JoAnne Owen at the Presbyterian Church in Essex, Iowa. They made their home on their farm north of Rock Port their entire married life, where they raised their children, Rebecca, Rachael and Richard. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in January of this year. Ralph passed away November 13, 2009 at Grape Community Hospital, Hamburg, Iowa at the age of 85 years.

Ralph’s family was the first priority of his life. He enjoyed being outdoors, watching the crops being planted and harvested, feeding the birds and squirrels during the winter months, giving special attention to the farm cats. Ralph was a faithful member of the Rock Port United Methodist Church where he has served on numerous committees, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was a leader of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship group. He especially enjoyed the many years he served as a church camp counselor for the 5th and 6th grade camps, videotaping the church services, and the 12-15 years that he and Evelyn were members of “Volunteer in Mission” trips. Ralph enjoyed traveling. He and Evelyn traveled across the United States, as well as several trips overseas. He has served as treasurer of the Linden Cemetery Association for 32 years. He formerly served on the Atchison County Coop Board, Atchison County Soil and Water Conservation Board, and was President of the Atchison County Extension Council. Ralph also was a member of the Atchison County Farm Bureau, a 4-H leader, and judged various 4-H events throughout the years.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother, James. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of the home; 3 children, Rebecca Hance and husband, Leo, Rock Port, Rachael Inman and husband, Eric, Nebraska City, Nebraska, Richard Boettner and wife, Ernema (Bing), Maryville, Missouri; five grandchildren, Ryan Hance and wife, Melissa, Mission, Kansas, Adam Hance, Raytown, Missouri, Ruth Ann Boettner, Lincoln, Nebraska, Zeke and Wade Inman, Nebraska City; sister, Greta Lyden, Rock Port, and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services:
10:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 18, 2009, United Methodist Church, Rock Port.
Interment: Linden Cemetery, Rock Port.
Memorials may be directed to the Rock Port United Methodist Church Music Fund.
There is no scheduled family visitation.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.
Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.