Ralph Eugene Muth

GARNER - Ralph E. Muth, 73, of Garner died Monday, September 3, 2012 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Saturday, September 8th at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Rev. Paul Evans officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Ralph Eugene Muth, the son of Melvin and Bernice (Beery) Muth, was born January 5, 1939 at Mason City. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1958. On March 2, 1957 he married Marilyn Roth at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They lived on acreage south of Mason City where they raised their three children. Marilyn passed away on June 13, 1989. On February 20, 1993 he married Shirley Burke of Rock Falls at the Old Stone Methodist Church in Rock Falls. They made their home in Garner. Ralph was employed at Case IH, John Deere, Power Pro in Belmond and American Crane in Garner until his retirement. He then worked part-time for Chuck and Tony Whitt until his health failed him. Ralph loved working on the farm and fixing machinery. He enjoyed gardening, gun collecting, camping, country western music, dancing, going to antique tractor and car shows and also the Britt horse show. Ralph liked to plant tomatoes and give to friends and neighbors. He enjoyed fixing large family dinners and especially spending time with his grandchildren and great children.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Garner and the Ventura Gun Club. He was also a Boy Scout leader for years.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Garner; three children, David (Brenda) Muth of Dougherty, Debora (Chuck) Buland of Mason City and Janet (Chip) Francis of Oxford, IA; step-daughter, Cindy (Terry) Stanley of Rock Falls; grandchildren, David, Jr. (Natalie) Muth, Jim Buland (friend, Kisha), Scott Buland (friend, Minnie), Shawn (Jill) Buland, Amy (Lynn) Reihman and Stacy (Chris) Henley; step-grandchildren, Jamie (Mike) Jensen and Joshua Stanley; great-grandchildren, A.J., Madisen and Hannah Buland, Amelia Reihman, Gracie and Landry Muth; step great-grandchildren, Zachary Schmidt, Dylan, Reawna and Isabel Jensen, Gaven Stanley, Shaylynn and Terrhyn Stanley-Kral; his step-mother, Merilayne Muth of Mason City; two brothers, Roger (Bette) Muth of Garner and Fred (Linda) Muth of Clear Lake; a sister, Carol (Leon) Lewis of Vinton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife; and parents.