Service Information
Ralph Geier, age 90, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Hutchinson Health Hospital in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 5, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors will be provided by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
Ralph Heinz Geier was born on March 4, 1928, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, the son of Fred and Josefine (Roeck) Geier. He was baptized as an infant at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and was confirmed in his faith there as a youth. Ralph received his early education at the Boon Lake Township country school, and graduated with the Class of 1946 from the Hutchinson High School. He continued his education studying Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Ralph entered active military service in the United States Air Force on March 26, 1953. He proudly served his country as a KC-97 Freighter Pilot and a B-29 Bomber Pilot. Ralph was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and continued his service in the Air Force Reserves. He received his Honorable Discharge on June 23, 1957.
On June 26, 1954, Ralph was united in marriage to Mavis Wehking at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brownton, Minnesota. During Ralph’s military service, they lived in San Antonio, Texas, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. Following his discharge, they returned to Minnesota and made their home on a farm in rural Stewart. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David and Robert. After Ralph’s brother, Gerhardt, and his wife, Celestine, passed away, Ralph and Mavis welcomed their nephews Joel and Hans into their home and family, and raised them as their sons. In 1979, Ralph and Mavis moved to a home in rural Hutchinson, and in 1991 they moved into the city of Hutchinson. They had shared 50 years of marriage when Mavis passed away in 2005. In July of 2017, Ralph moved into the Ecumen Oaks.
Ralph was a dairy farmer. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and a lifelong member of the Hutchinson American Legion Post 96. Ralph was a Senior Ambassador for the Willmar Senior Center from 2016 – 2017. He enjoyed his fellow residents at the Oaks, and was crowned the 2018 Valentine King.
Ralph was a history enthusiast. He enjoyed attending air shows, watching the flying maneuvers and the variety of planes. He liked to play cards and checkers, and watch sports of all kinds. He loved to go dancing, and frequented the dances in Cosmos, Litchfield, and Willmar. Ralph especially cherished his time spent with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He will be remembered as a kind and loving man and cherished by his grandchildren as the best Grandpa ever.
On Sunday, March 3, 2019, Ralph passed away at the Hutchinson Health Hospital, having reached the age of 90 years. Blessed be his memory.
Ralph is survived by his:
Special Friend and Dance Partner, Janice “Jan” Schmeling of Hutchinson, MN;
Children:
David Geier and his Wife, Mona, of Brownton, MN, and their children: Molly Geier (Wes Lorence) of Grand Rapids, MN, and Michael Geier of Wadena, MN;
Robert Geier and his Wife, Terri, of North Augusta, SC, and their children: Lindsey Geier of Half Moon Bay CA, and Max Geier of North Augusta SC;
Joel Geier and his Wife, Becky, of Corvallis, OR; and
Hans Geier and his Wife, Marilyn, of Fairbanks, AL;
nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Ralph was preceded in death by his Parents, Fred and Josefine Geier; Wife, Mavis Geier; twin Brother, Raymond Geier; Brother, Gerhardt Geier and his Wife, Celestine; and by his Niece, Lisa Bakich.
Andrea Koenig says
Our sympathy to the loved ones~~we bought a farm in Lynn Township in 1970 from Ralph. Through the years it was always nice to visit with Ralph when we were out and about. God Bless his memory.
Arnie and Andrea Koenig
Chuck Thiel says
I lost a very good friend yesterday. We’ll miss you, Ralph!
Donna Engelen says
Mona, Jan, and family,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you. We will dance one for him!
Hugs, Mike and Donna
Jackie R says
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ralph. I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort through the loving and happy memories that you share and those that you keep close to your hearts. May you also look to our loving Heavenly Father, the GOD of all comfort, to provide what you need at this very sad time. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4, Psalms 83:18). He promises us that very soon, “He will wipe every tear from our eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3,4, Isaiah 33:24. He also promises us that there will be a resurrection of our loved ones that we have lost in death, and they will have the opportunity to live forever in perfect health in Paradise right here on earth. (John 5:28,29, Psalms 37:10,11). What wonderful promises! Can you imagine a time on earth when there will be no more sickness, pain or death? May all of God’s promises give you a measure of comfort, peace, hope and strength. I personally found very comforting information on jw.org. when I experienced the loss of my parents and siblings.
Laura (Tabberson) Dooley says
I am so sad to hear this. I have known Ralph and Mavis my whole life. Mavis taught me how to tie my shoes and I spent hours with Ralph reading his books on Native Americans and looking at his fools gold with his magnifying glass. Both of them were amazing people and will be truly missed.
Alan R. Koenig says
My condolences to Hans (graduated with him at Buff. Lake in 1975) and other family members. Ralph had a noteworthy military career and life in general.
Alan R. Koenig
Hector, MN
Barry Anderson says
Ralph and Mavis made important contributions to the community and I am grateful that I had some limited opportunitites to get to know both. Condolences to family and friends.
Linda Callier says
David/Robert and families
So sad to hear of your loss. Ralph had a long and adventurous life. He was an interesting man. He can now rest, and join your Mom for ever after.
Dave Plamann says
Dave, Robert, and Janice,
You have our sympathy.
Dave & Nancy Plamann
Charlie and Kim Schimmelpfennig says
So sorry for your loss.
Gus Weseloh says
Hans, sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dean Wewetzer says
To the Geier’s. I’m saddened to just learn of this. My heartfelt condolences to the family. David, long time no hear, I’m at deanwewetzer@gmail.com. Happy 2020 to you and Mona. Dean.