Ralph W. Felker

Ralph Lefty Felker, died at Hillcrest Nursing Home on Monday, January 5, 2015. He was born in Culbertson NE on September 29, 1925 to Alex and Mary (Propp) Felker. He was raised on the family farm near Culbertson and was confirmed in 1940 at St Johns Lutheran Church in Culbertson. He graduated from Culbertson High school in 1943. He worked on the family farm until entering in the Army on Jan 11, 1945. He served with the Eighth Army in the Pacific theater. He qualified as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in February of 1946. After being discharged Dec of 1946, he returned to the Culbertson area. On December 28, 1955, he was united in marriage to Cecelia McDonnell in North Platte, NE to this union five children were born: Gregg, Dean, Burt, Bryce and Jeannie While employed by the Bureau of Reclamation he helped build Trenton Dam and the Meeker-Driftwood canal system. He worked as a Bureau ditch rider before joining the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. During this time he continued to do some farming and helped the Walter Zapp farm for many years with harvest. After retiring from the Postal Service, they continued to residue in Culbertson until moving to McCook in 2005. Ralph enjoyed outdoor activities especially fishing, hunting, baseball and golf. He was a boxer in his early life and coached boxing for a number of years. He helped coach baseball for many years in Culbertson while his sons were playing. He was a member of the Culbertson VFW Post 6219, the Culbertson rural fire department and St. Johns Lutheran Church. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Cecelia of 59 years, preceded him in death on December 29, 2014. infant daughter: Jeannie; and brothers: Edward, Henry, Harold, Charles: sisters: Ester (Steinke) Thompson; Rachel Witt, Lila West, Martha (Frank) Johnson, Survivors include 4 sons: Gregg and wife Lorre of ONeill, NE; Dean of Hastings; Burt and wife Lisa; Bryce and wife Mindy all of McCook, NE; 4 grandchildren: Bryan; Breanna; Madison; Hunter 1 brother: Robert Felker of McCook. Visitation for Ralph will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM. Family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 PM till 7:00 Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 on Thursday at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE with Pastor Bradley Rick officiating. Burial will be in the Culbertson Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Army Honors Detail. Memorial may be left in Ralphs name to Culbertson Rural Fire Department. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com.