Ralph Sprague

Ralph Sprague, 68, of Marshalltown, died Thursday, January 28, 2010, at MMSC.Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests that friends dress casually and comfortably for Ralphs services. Memorials may be made to the family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Ralph and his family. Phone 641-844-1234.Ralph was born on June 29, 1941, in the house where he grew up in Grundy Center, Iowa. He was the son of Ralph and Irene (Wells) Sprague. He graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1960. He joined the Army Reserves at age 17. At age 50, Ralph attended college at DMACC in Boiler and Electrical Training. On January 19, 1970, Ralph married Judy Meeker in Lincoln, Nebraska. The couple later divorced. They were reunited and remarried on June 22, 1985, at Oak Creek Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona. Ralph and Judy were soulmates.Ralph owned his own body shop, was a security guard at MMSC, owned his own rental property maintenance business, and most recently, was CEO of Steelsmith Rentals LLC. He enjoyed country music, fishing, cars, coin collecting, and being outside enjoying nature. He enjoyed his grandchildren, who lovingly called him Bepa. Ralph was beautifully stubborn.Surviving Ralph is his wife, Judy, of Marshalltown; his four children Doug Hausafus of Liscomb, Tammy (Shawn) Kellogg of State Center, Joshua (Candi) Sprague of Bowling Green, KY, and Michelle Sprague of Gilman; his 10 grandchildren Nakita, Teandra, Jacalyn, Trent, Kaylee, Ariel, Haley, Coleton, Riley, and Madilyn; his 2 great-grandchildren Natalie and Gloria; his brother Larry (Wendy) Sprague of Jackson, Ohio; and his aunt Norma Sprague of Grundy Center, Iowa.In death, Ralph rejoins his parents, his uncle Robert Sprague, and his aunt Gladys Conradi.